Some unspoilt news program from the Palmyra Atoll : following its successfulrelease back into the wild in 2024 , the sihek – also known as the Guam kingfisher – has pose its first eggs in the wild in almost 40 years . These endangered birds went nonextant from the wild back in 1988 , but a few birds under human precaution get to ferment as part of a conservation programme to save the species . Last year , they were given a new Pacific Island home base that was protected and free from predators . With the arrival of their first egg , it seems the birds are feeling properly at home .
“ We ’re delighted that all nine of the birds are not only survive on Palmyra Atoll , they ’re already start the next phase of their journeying as we work to re - instal a palmy and fully self - suffer Sihek population in the wild , ” articulate Dr Caitlin Andrews , Bird Conservation Scientist with ZSL and TNC in arelease . “ It ’s taken days of planning to get to this distributor point , and it ’s wonderful seeing their instincts recoil in as they ’ve been catching gecko and spiders and excavate nests . Their strength provides Bob Hope they will one day be back on Guam . ”
The beautiful orange and gentle sihek , Todiramphus cinnamominus , run extinct in its waste home plate of Guam and the surrounding island in 1988 . The driving force of their downfall was the trespassing brown tree snake ( Boiga irregularis ) , and as the universe crashed , Guam biologists brought some of the birds under human maintenance to begin a preservation program to hold get to the sihek . It protrude with just 29 birdie and boomed to 127 individuals across 25 institutions , until eventually a radical were selected to be released back into the wild .
“ AZA partners have proudly maintained the Sihek universe in human care since 1988 , ” say Scott Newland , President & CEO of Sedgwick County Zoo , in a 2024release . “ Without the dedication of our aviculturists and the supporting of zoos , this release would not have been possible . Our study with this specie has supply us with valuable knowledge , let us to orient this release to give the raspberry the best chance for succeeder . ”
succeeder , it seems , was on the cards , as not even a twelvemonth on from the proclamation of their release we discover ourselves with the happy intelligence that the wild fowl have begin trying to have infant of their own . That suppose , the paired pairs are less than a year old , and it ’s their first clip incubating and caring for eggs , so it may take a few rounds of trying before we chance ourselves with a raging chick .
Still , it marks an extremely positive pace towards re - establishing these birds in the wild and serves as a glad admonisher that with the right science and dedication , we do have the power toreverse biodiversity loss .
" After many longsighted days last twelvemonth looking after these birds when they were just tiny egg and skirt , it ’s so rewarding to see them begin their journey towards conjure up their own chicks in the forest of Palmyra Atoll , ” added Charlotte James , one of the London Zoo snort keepers who travelled to Sedgwick County Zoo to hired hand - rear the released birds . “ It ’s hard not to feel like a proud parent seeing them out there thrive and making history - and an honour to be part of the on-going charge to bring Sihekback from the threshold of extermination . "
