A chicken species that was beforehand extinct within the wild has been launched again into its pure habitat for the primary time for the reason that Nineteen Eighties.
In accordance with a press launch from the Zoological Society of London, six sihek (Guam kingfisher) live within the Palmyra Atoll tropical forests, which is because of the work executed by the Sihek Restoration Program, which seems to revive the species.
4 feminine and 5 male sihek birds had been beforehand cared for by specialists on the Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita, Kan. forward of their “historic rewilding.”
Following months of caring for the birds, six of the 9 sihek had been deemed wholesome sufficient to be launched. The birds, which have shiny cerulean and cinnamon colours, traveled from Wichita to “short-term aviaries” at Cooper Island on Aug. 28 the place they had been capable of adapt to their new environment.
This species is thought to be territorial, so it is doubtless that they’ll decide their zones early on. The birds have a specifically fitted radio tracker hooked up to them, this fashion the Sihek Restoration Program can monitor their species’ return to the wild and find out about their foraging, habitat use and breeding.
ZSL
The opposite three will likely be monitored and individually launched when they’re prepared.
The ZSL’s Institute of Zoology and Sihek Restoration Program Staff Chair Professor John Ewen known as their historic launch “many years within the making” in a press launch.
“Wildlife globally is beneath menace, and the success of seeing these birds fly within the wild as soon as extra highlights simply how zoos, scientists and conservationists – working with governments and decision-makers – have the ability to guard species and take large steps in bringing them again from the very brink of extinction.”
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Charlotte James, one of many London Zoo birdkeepers who hand-reared the sihek chicks on the Sedgwick Zoo stated it was “an honor to be a part of this journey.”
“Having spent lengthy days working across the clock handy increase these valuable birds, it’s so unimaginable seeing them not solely absolutely grown, but additionally now flying round Palmyra Atoll.”
The sihek had been listed beneath the Guan Endangered Species Act in 1982. Two years later, they grew to become a part of the U.S. Endangered Species Checklist. In 1988, they had been believed to have been extinct as prey to the brown tree snake.
Thomas Manglona KUAM
The mission of the Sihek Restoration Program is to ultimately return the birds again to their native house of Guam.
