The world’s oldest known breeding bird just became a mother again.
Wisdom, a Laysan albatross, successfully hatched a chick in February at the Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge and Memorial, located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. She is estimated to be at least 66 years old.
“Wisdom continues to inspire people around the world. She has returned home to Midway Atoll for over six decades and raised at least 30–35 chicks,” said Bob Peyton of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the federal agency that manages the refuge.
In fact, Wisdom has likely flown more than 3 million miles in her lifetime.
“Because Laysan albatross don’t lay eggs every year, and when they do, they raise only one chick at a time, the contribution of even one bird to the population makes a difference,” Peyton said.
Wisdom, the 66 year old Laysan albatross is the world’s oldest known breeding bird AND she's hatched another chick! https://t.co/WLugar7RWu pic.twitter.com/FSEIqVozUB
— US Fish and Wildlife (@USFWS) February 20, 2017
Globally, the Laysan albatross is considered “near threatened.” Nearly 70 percent of the world’s Laysan albatross rely on the remote Midway Atoll for habitat.
The atoll is located within the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, the world’s largest marine protected area. More than 3 million seabirds call it home.
World Wildlife Day, March 3, celebrates the diversity of plants and animals. Follow @WildlifeDay on Twitter, and use hashtag #WorldWildlifeDay to join the conversation.
