Guam kingfisher successfully breeds after historic release
- Nine Guam kingfisher chicks were released on Palmyra Atoll after being hand-reared.
- The species had been extinct in the wild for nearly 40 years before this release.
- This successful breeding is seen as a major victory in conservation efforts for the Guam kingfisher.
Guam, in a significant conservation effort, has seen the successful reintroduction of the Guam kingfisher, a bird that was once extinct in the wild for nearly 40 years. This species was released on Palmyra Atoll at the end of September 2024 after undergoing years of careful planning and preparation. The release involved nine young chicks, hand-reared at the Sedgwick County Zoo, that have now adapted to their new environment and are starting to breed. Conservationists view this development as a successful milestone in the long-term mission to restore the population of this species in their native habitat. The breeding success of the Guam kingfisher on Palmyra Atoll is a testament to the collaboration between various conservation organizations and zoos across North America. Notably, organizations like the Cincinnati Zoo, Brookfield Zoo, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom contributed to this project's success by providing eggs, chicks, and staff to support these efforts. The birds were initially housed and cared for in a specialized facility at the Sedgwick County Zoo, where experts could monitor their growth and acclimatization before the critical release. Dr. Caitlin Andrews, a conservation scientist involved in this project, expressed satisfaction over the birds' survival and their progress towards establishing a self-sustaining wild population. These young birds are now displaying instinctual behaviors, such as nest excavation and hunting for food, indicating their readiness to thrive in their natural environment. The work to return the Guam kingfisher to its native ecosystem is ongoing, with plans to expand the breeding effort in the upcoming years to continue rebuilding this species’s population. Overall, the rewilding project represents a significant triumph for conservationists who have dedicated years towards preventing extinction. It highlights not just the resilience of endemic species but also the crucial role of breeding programs and translocations in wildlife conservation. Partners involved in this initiative remain optimistic about the future, which includes plans to release more young chicks in summer 2025 to enhance the genetic diversity and stability of the species’ population on the atoll.