Latest news with #Sihek
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Bird species once only found in captivity lays first wild eggs in 40 years
HONOLULU (KHON) – The Sihek bird, an endangered animal recently returned to the wild, has laid eggs on their new home at Palmyra Atoll, an island in the Pacific. The eggs mark the first wild eggs from the species in approximately 40 years. Nine Sihek (also known as Guam kingfishers) were released at the Nature Conservancy's Palmyra Atoll Preserve in September 2024 by the Sihek Recovery Program, a collection of conservationists from around the world dedicated to the preservation of the bird species. The four female and five male Sihek birds quickly explored and adapted to their new home, building territories, nests and laying eggs together for the first time since their extinction from their native island of Guam in the '80s. 'We're delighted that all nine of the birds are not only surviving on Palmyra Atoll, they're already starting on the next stage of their journey as we work to reestablish a thriving and fully self-sustaining Sihek population in the wild,' said Dr. Caitlin Andrews, a bird conservation scientist. 'It's taken years of planning to get to this point, and it's wonderful seeing their instincts kick in as they've been catching geckos and spiders and excavating nests. Their strength provides hope they will one day be back on Guam.' Shiek is the name given to the birds by the native CHamoru people of Guam. The birds were eliminated when the invasive brown treesnake was accidentally introduced to the island in the '40s. The last wild Shiek was seen in 1988, and 29 Shiek were under human care by biologists in Guam. The birds were relocated to Palmyra Atoll because the island is largely predator-free and is fully protected. 'The Guåhan (Guam) Shiek continue to etch their story upon us, marking milestones with Tutuhan again at the forefront. Tutuhan was the first hatchling last year and now is the first to produce eggs. Her name means beginning and she showed signs of strength from the beginning, wanting to feed herself before being old enough to do so,' said Yolanda Topasña, a Guam Department of Agriculture Division of Aquatic and Wildlife Resources program coordinator. To Topasña, the Shiek are more than a bird, representing a sense of ancestral pride for CHamoru people. 'The connection I feel with Tutuhan is a kinship I hope for all to feel. I envision our people, the CHamoru, those who dwell in our beloved Guåhan and those scattered across the vast oceans, to feel the same stirring of ancestral pride,' she said. Plans are currently underway for more young birds to be released at Palmya Atoll this summer, in hopes of further boosting the population. 'It has been the honor of my life to work with the Sihek, who embody the spirit of the CHamoru people, with their incredible resilience and adaptability in the face of adversity,' said Kayla Baker, a bird conservationist. 'Seeing the eggs in the nest for the first time left us all with tears in our eyes. Watching these birds show such strong parental instincts gives me great hope that the Sihek will continue to thrive both here on Palmyra Atoll and when they are returned to Guåhan.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Forbes
22-04-2025
- Science
- Forbes
Extinct-In-The-Wild Bird Species Is Breeding On A New Island Home
The Guam kingfisher was extinct in the wild for almost 40 years but this species was recently released into the wild where it is now breeding. A pair of Sihek or Guam Kingfisher (Todiramphus cinnamominus) on Palmyra Atoll. Five males and four ... More females were returned to the wild on Palmyra Atoll in September 2024. This pair (Female, left and male, right) are the parents of the first confirmed eggs laid in the wild for 40 years. (Credit: Martin Kastner / TNC-ZSL) In the face of growing despair and gloom, the Guam Kingfisher, better known as the Sihek, Todiramphus cinnamominus, is the source of yet more good news: eggs! These beautiful birds, extinct in the wild for 40 years, were recently rewilded on Palmyra Atoll (read more here, here, and here). Although captive-bred Sihek were not on their native home of Guam, this release is nevertheless a critically important step closer to their eventual return home. 'Many of us spent this Easter weekend out searching high and low for eggs of a different variety – and while they might not be as shiny or brightly coloured, these tiny, unassuming-looking eggs are far more exciting and precious than any of their chocolate counterparts,' said conservation biologist John Ewen, a professor at the Institute of Zoology, which is the research division of the Zoological Society of London, and Sihek Recovery Team Chair. Professor Ewen's research focuses on small population recovery, often involving conservation translocation, and the science that supports these decisions. 'They are a remarkable milestone for the decades-long mission to rescue the Sihek from the edge of extinction, and this moment for celebration is a real testament to all the dedicated work from everyone working around the clock to protect and recover this incredible bird.' A total of nine chicks — four female and five male Sihek — were hand-reared at the Sedgwick County Zoo and prepared for this historic rewilding effort, which occurred when the birds were released on Palmyra Atoll at the end of September 2024. 'We're delighted that all nine of the birds are not only surviving on Palmyra Atoll, they're already starting the next stage of their journey as we work to reestablish a thriving and fully self-sustaining Sihek population in the wild,' said bird conservation scientist, Caitlin Andrews, with The Nature Conservancy and an Honorary Research Associate with the Zoological Society of London. Dr Andrews' specialty is developing translocation programs for species recovery. The breeding pairs of Sihek are very young – less than a year old – so this is the first time they're incubating and caring for eggs, thus it may take a few egg laying attempts for the birds to develop their skills and successfully hatch chicks. 'It's taken years of planning to get to this point, and it's wonderful seeing their instincts kick in as they've been catching geckos and spiders and excavating nests,' Dr Andrews added. 'Their strength provides hope they will one day be back on Guam.' A Sihek egg from 2024. (Credit: ZSL) 'After many long days last year looking after these birds when they were just tiny eggs and chicks, it's so rewarding to see them beginning their journey towards raising their own chicks in the forests of Palmyra Atoll,' said London Zoo birdkeeper Charlotte James, who travelled to Sedgwick County Zoo to hand-rear the birds prior to their release. 'It's hard not to feel like a proud parent seeing them out there thriving and making history – and an honour to be part of the ongoing mission to bring Sihek back from the brink of extinction.' Nonetheless, these eggs demonstrate both the tremendous resilience of these remarkable birds and the power of conservation to create a second chance for species on the brink of extinction. This monumental rewilding event was the result of a global collaborative effort by the Sihek Recovery Program. Partners that either contributed eggs, chicks or staff to assist with their care to this effort include the Brookfield Zoo Chicago, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, Disney's Animal Kingdom, the National Aviary, and Sedgwick County Zoo where they received expert care at a purpose-built facility until they were mature enough to make the journey to the atoll. Egg selection and transfer were coordinated by the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI), whose staff also helped manage the care of the birds, along with Tracy Aviary, and ZSL's London and Whipsnade Zoos. The young Sihek were temporarily housed in outdoor aviaries on the Cooper Island preserve and research station, where they acclimated to the local environment and wildlife. The Cooper Island preserve and research station are owned and managed by The Nature Conservancy, which purchased Palmyra Atoll to be an ecosystem reserve and scientific field station in 2000. (Full disclosure: I contributed to this effort.) 'This work on Palmyra is something I couldn't have imagined witnessing in my lifetime, let alone being a part of, said Aimee Owen, senior aviculturist at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. 'Our team here at Cincinnati Zoo is head-over-heels for these birds and so excited that they've come as far as they have and just keep on going.' Some of the young birds were named in an online voting process and with ongoing care at Palmyra Atoll, the team has become deeply connected with each individual bird. 'Even moreso, Tutuhan, Cincinnati's first egg, and first chick produced, and the first chick of the entire project is now one of the first to produce eggs on the island,' added Ms Owen. 'Her being 'the first of firsts' of this ground-breaking conservation work is a milestone that simply fills us with pride, even beyond playing our role in the first place.' Plans are underway to release more young Sihek on Palmyra Atoll in summer of 2025. Already, egg laying is underway at participating AZA-accredited institutions across the USA. After these eggs hatch and the chicks mature, the young birds will journey to Palmyra, to be released, with the ultimate goal of establishing ten breeding pairs there. The wild Sihek at Palmyra Atoll will pave the way for a growing, wild Sihek population for the first time in decades. © Copyright by GrrlScientist | hosted by Forbes | Socials: Bluesky | CounterSocial | Gab | LinkedIn | Mastodon Science | Spoutible | SubStack | Threads | Tribel | Tumblr | Twitter
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Once-extinct bird species lays first wild eggs in 40 years
HONOLULU (KHON2) — The Sihek bird, an endangered animal who recently returned to the wild, has laid eggs on their new home at Palmyra Atoll, an island in the Pacific. The eggs laid mark the first wild eggs from the species in approximately 40 years. Nine Sihek, also known as Guam kingfishers, were released at the Nature Conservancy's Palmyra Atoll Preserve in September 2024 by the Sihek Recovery Program, a collection of conservationists from around the world dedicated to the preservation of the bird species. Hawaii officials respond to death of Pope Francis The four female and five male Sihek birds were able to quickly explore and adapt to their new home in the Pacific, building territories, nests and laying eggs together for the first time since their extinction from their native island of Guam in the '80s. 'We're delighted that all nine of the birds are not only surviving on Palmyra Atoll, they're already starting on the next stage of their journey as we work to reestablish a thriving and fully self-sustaining Sihek population in the wild,' said Dr. Caitlin Andrews, a bird conservation scientist. 'It's taken years of planning to get to this point, and it's wonderful seeing their instincts kick in as they've been catching geckos and spiders and excavating nests. Their strength provides hope they will one day be back on Guam.' Shiek is the name given to the birds by the native CHamoru people of Guam, known in CHamoru as Guåhan. The birds were eliminated when the invasive brown treesnake was accidentally introduced to the island in the ' last wild Shiek was seen in 1988, with 29 Shiek under human care by biologists in Guam. The birds were relocated to Palmyra Atoll because the island is largely predator-free and is fully protected. 'The Guåhan Shiek continue to etch their story upon us, marking milestones with Tutuhan again at the forefront. Tutuhan was the first hatchling last year and now is the first to produce eggs. Her name means beginning and she showed signs of strength from the beginning, wanting to feed herself before being old enough to do so,' said Yolanda Topasña, a Guam Department of Agriculture Division of Aquatic and Wildlife Resources program coordinator. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news To Topasña, the Shiek are more than a bird, representing a sense of ancestral pride for CHamoru people. 'The connection I feel with Tutuhan is a kinship I hope for all to feel. I envision our people, the CHamoru, those who dwell in our beloved Guåhan and those scattered across the vast oceans, to feel the same stirring of ancestral pride,' she said. Plans are currently underway for more young birds to be released at Palmya Atoll this summer, in hopes to further boost the population. 'It has been the honor of my life to work with the Sihek, who embody the spirit of the CHamoru people, with their incredible resilience and adaptability in the face of adversity,' said Kayla Baker, a bird conservationist. 'Seeing the eggs in the nest for the first time left us all with tears in our eyes. Watching these birds show such strong parental instincts gives me great hope that the Sihek will continue to thrive both here on Palmyra Atoll and when they are returned to Guåhan.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Scoop
22-04-2025
- Science
- Scoop
Bird Species Lost From Wild For Almost 40 Years Lays First Eggs On New Island Home
Press Release – The Nature Conservancy Egg laying season is underway at participating AZA-accredited institutions across the US. When they grow to maturity, these chicks will also journey to Palmyra, with the ultimate goal of establishing ten breeding pairs there. Sihek – an endangered bird recently returned to the wild – have laid eggs on their new Pacific island home at Palmyra Atoll, making them the first wild eggs for the species in almost 40 years. Nine young Sihek* – also known as Guam kingfishers – hand-reared by zookeepers, were released at The Nature Conservancy's (TNC's) Palmyra Atoll Preserve in September 2024 by the Sihek Recovery Program, a global collaboration of conservationists dedicated to rewilding these magnificent, colorful birds. The team behind the project are now celebrating as the eggs mark how the birds have flourished since their arrival to the Pacific Atoll, located about 1,000 miles south of Honolulu, Hawaii. After their remarkable release last autumn, the four female and five male birds quickly explored their new home, learning how to forage and hunt new prey within the tropical forest. Four pairs have since established territories, built nests, and three of the pairs have laid eggs, marking the first time the species has bred in the wild since its extinction from their native island of Guam in the 1980s. 'We're delighted that all nine of the birds are not only surviving on Palmyra Atoll, they're already starting the next stage of their journey as we work to reestablish a thriving and fully self-sustaining Sihek population in the wild,' says Dr. Caitlin Andrews, Bird Conservation Scientist with TNC's Island Resilience Strategy and ZSL (Zoological Society of London). 'It's taken years of planning to get to this point, and it's wonderful seeing their instincts kick in as they've been catching geckos and spiders and excavating nests. Their strength provides hope they will one day be back on Guam.' With the mated pairs less than a year old, this is their first time incubating and caring for eggs, meaning it's likely it will take a few rounds of egg laying for the birds to hone their skills and hatch chicks. Nonetheless, these eggs demonstrate both the tremendous resilience of these remarkable birds and the power of conservation to create a second chance for species on the brink of extinction. Sihek, as the birds are known by the indigenous CHamoru* people of Guam, also known as Guåhan, were decimated when the brown treesnake was accidentally introduced to the island in the 1940s. The last wild Sihek was seen in 1988. But as the population crashed, Guam biologists brought 29 Sihek under human care, starting a conservation breeding program in Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)-accredited zoos across the United States (US). Palmyra Atoll was selected as the home for the first wild Sihek in almost 40 years because it is largely predator-free and fully protected. TNC's Palmyra Preserve is encompassed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Palmyra Atoll National Wildlife Refuge (out to 12 nautical miles) and by the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument (out to 50 nautical miles), one of the largest swaths of ocean and islands protected in the world. Protected regions like Palmyra Atoll are essential to protecting biodiversity as wildlife globally continues to face threats such as habitat loss and climate change. The Sihek released at Palmyra Atoll last fall are the result of a cooperative of the following institutions who either contributed eggs to be hatched or staff to assist with their care: Brookfield Zoo Chicago, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, Disney's Animal Kingdom, National Aviary, Sedgwick County Zoo, Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Tracy Aviary, and ZSL's London and Whipsnade Zoos. The eggs were hatched and raised by staff members of the cooperative institutions in a purpose-built facility at Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita, Kansas, where they received expert care until they were mature enough to make the journey to the atoll. Some of the birds were named in an online voting process and with ongoing care at Palmyra Atoll, the team has become deeply connected with each individual bird. 'The Guåhan Sihek continue to etch their story upon us, marking milestones with Tutuhan again at the forefront! Tutuhan was the first hatchling last year and now is the first to produce eggs. Her name means beginning and she showed signs of strength from the beginning, wanting to feed herself before being old enough to do so,' says Yolonda Topasña, Guam Department of Agriculture Division of Aquatic and Wildlife Resources (DAWR) Program Coordinator. 'Tutuhan challenged two other females for Hinanao's partnership and won! Now our pair take turns watching over their precious eggs,' she says. 'The connection I feel with Tutuhan is a kinship I hope for all to feel. I envision our people, the CHamoru, those who dwell in our beloved Guåhan and those scattered across the vast oceans, to feel the same stirring of ancestral pride,' shares Topasña. 'A dear friend in Washington, but whose roots run deep on Guåhan, shared a memory, a vision of Sihek soaring freely over their lancho (farm) in Dededo, in the mid-1970s. My friends' father warned the family to leave Sihek alone and they respected and obeyed. These are the stories that bind us, the whispers of our past that illuminate our present. These conversations are what will bring us all together to celebrate the lives of the Sihek thriving on Palmyra Atoll and in turn, will help us all take pride in our culture and heritage.' Plans are underway for more young Sihek to be released at Palmyra Atoll this summer. Egg laying season is underway at participating AZA-accredited institutions across the US. When they grow to maturity, these chicks will also journey to Palmyra, with the ultimate goal of establishing ten breeding pairs there. This project paves the way for a growing, wild Sihek population for the first time since the 1980s. 'It has been the honor of my life to work with the Sihek, who embody the spirit of the CHamoru people, with their incredible resilience and adaptability in the face of adversity,' says Kayla Baker, Senior Bird Conservation Specialist with TNC's Island Resilience Strategy and ZSL. 'Seeing the eggs in the nest for the first time left us all with tears in our eyes. Watching these birds show such strong parental instincts gives me great hope that the Sihek will continue to thrive both here on Palmyra Atoll and when they are returned home to Guåhan.' Note:
Scoop
21-04-2025
- Science
- Scoop
Bird Species Lost From Wild For Almost 40 Years Lays First Eggs On New Island Home
Sihek – an endangered bird recently returned to the wild – have laid eggs on their new Pacific island home at Palmyra Atoll, making them the first wild eggs for the species in almost 40 years. Nine young Sihek* – also known as Guam kingfishers – hand-reared by zookeepers, were released at The Nature Conservancy's (TNC's) Palmyra Atoll Preserve in September 2024 by the Sihek Recovery Program, a global collaboration of conservationists dedicated to rewilding these magnificent, colorful birds. The team behind the project are now celebrating as the eggs mark how the birds have flourished since their arrival to the Pacific Atoll, located about 1,000 miles south of Honolulu, Hawaii. After their remarkable release last autumn, the four female and five male birds quickly explored their new home, learning how to forage and hunt new prey within the tropical forest. Four pairs have since established territories, built nests, and three of the pairs have laid eggs, marking the first time the species has bred in the wild since its extinction from their native island of Guam in the 1980s. 'We're delighted that all nine of the birds are not only surviving on Palmyra Atoll, they're already starting the next stage of their journey as we work to reestablish a thriving and fully self-sustaining Sihek population in the wild,' says Dr. Caitlin Andrews, Bird Conservation Scientist with TNC's Island Resilience Strategy and ZSL (Zoological Society of London). 'It's taken years of planning to get to this point, and it's wonderful seeing their instincts kick in as they've been catching geckos and spiders and excavating nests. Their strength provides hope they will one day be back on Guam.' With the mated pairs less than a year old, this is their first time incubating and caring for eggs, meaning it's likely it will take a few rounds of egg laying for the birds to hone their skills and hatch chicks. Nonetheless, these eggs demonstrate both the tremendous resilience of these remarkable birds and the power of conservation to create a second chance for species on the brink of extinction. Sihek, as the birds are known by the indigenous CHamoru* people of Guam, also known as Guåhan, were decimated when the brown treesnake was accidentally introduced to the island in the 1940s. The last wild Sihek was seen in 1988. But as the population crashed, Guam biologists brought 29 Sihek under human care, starting a conservation breeding program in Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)-accredited zoos across the United States (US). Palmyra Atoll was selected as the home for the first wild Sihek in almost 40 years because it is largely predator-free and fully protected. TNC's Palmyra Preserve is encompassed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Palmyra Atoll National Wildlife Refuge (out to 12 nautical miles) and by the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument (out to 50 nautical miles), one of the largest swaths of ocean and islands protected in the world. Protected regions like Palmyra Atoll are essential to protecting biodiversity as wildlife globally continues to face threats such as habitat loss and climate change. The Sihek released at Palmyra Atoll last fall are the result of a cooperative of the following institutions who either contributed eggs to be hatched or staff to assist with their care: Brookfield Zoo Chicago, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, Disney's Animal Kingdom, National Aviary, Sedgwick County Zoo, Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Tracy Aviary, and ZSL's London and Whipsnade Zoos. The eggs were hatched and raised by staff members of the cooperative institutions in a purpose-built facility at Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita, Kansas, where they received expert care until they were mature enough to make the journey to the atoll. Some of the birds were named in an online voting process and with ongoing care at Palmyra Atoll, the team has become deeply connected with each individual bird. 'The Guåhan Sihek continue to etch their story upon us, marking milestones with Tutuhan again at the forefront! Tutuhan was the first hatchling last year and now is the first to produce eggs. Her name means beginning and she showed signs of strength from the beginning, wanting to feed herself before being old enough to do so,' says Yolonda Topasña, Guam Department of Agriculture Division of Aquatic and Wildlife Resources (DAWR) Program Coordinator. 'Tutuhan challenged two other females for Hinanao's partnership and won! Now our pair take turns watching over their precious eggs,' she says. 'The connection I feel with Tutuhan is a kinship I hope for all to feel. I envision our people, the CHamoru, those who dwell in our beloved Guåhan and those scattered across the vast oceans, to feel the same stirring of ancestral pride,' shares Topasña. 'A dear friend in Washington, but whose roots run deep on Guåhan, shared a memory, a vision of Sihek soaring freely over their lancho (farm) in Dededo, in the mid-1970s. My friends' father warned the family to leave Sihek alone and they respected and obeyed. These are the stories that bind us, the whispers of our past that illuminate our present. These conversations are what will bring us all together to celebrate the lives of the Sihek thriving on Palmyra Atoll and in turn, will help us all take pride in our culture and heritage.' Plans are underway for more young Sihek to be released at Palmyra Atoll this summer. Egg laying season is underway at participating AZA-accredited institutions across the US. When they grow to maturity, these chicks will also journey to Palmyra, with the ultimate goal of establishing ten breeding pairs there. This project paves the way for a growing, wild Sihek population for the first time since the 1980s. 'It has been the honor of my life to work with the Sihek, who embody the spirit of the CHamoru people, with their incredible resilience and adaptability in the face of adversity,' says Kayla Baker, Senior Bird Conservation Specialist with TNC's Island Resilience Strategy and ZSL. 'Seeing the eggs in the nest for the first time left us all with tears in our eyes. Watching these birds show such strong parental instincts gives me great hope that the Sihek will continue to thrive both here on Palmyra Atoll and when they are returned home to Guåhan.'
