Six Guam kingfishers, known as sihek, have been successfully released into the wild in the tropical forests of Palmyra Atoll. This release is a significant milestone as it marks the first time since the 1980s that these beautiful birds will be living in their natural habitat.
The Sihek Recovery Program, a collaboration of conservationists from various organizations including the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Guam Department of Agriculture’s Division of Aquatic & Wildlife Resources, ZSL, The Nature Conservancy, Sedgwick County Zoo, Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, has been working tirelessly to reintroduce the sihek into the wild.
Yolonda Topasna, from the Guam Department of Agriculture, expressed her excitement at the release of the sihek, highlighting the cultural significance of these birds to the CHamoru people. The sihek, with their cerulean blue and cinnamon coloration, reflect the beauty of the island and its natural surroundings.
The sihek were hand-reared at the Sedgwick County Zoo before being transported to Palmyra Atoll. The birds showed promising behavior upon their release, such as instinctually preening and successfully hunting for food in their new environment.
Prior to their release, each sihek underwent a health exam, and a tiny radio tracker was fitted to monitor their movements. The team expects the birds to establish home ranges quickly and is providing supplemental food to help them transition to the wild.
Palmyra Atoll was chosen as the release site due to its status as an invasive predator-free and fully protected area. The atoll provides an ideal environment for the sihek to thrive and establish a breeding population, with the ultimate goal of returning the species to Guam once the threat from snakes is addressed.
The successful release of the sihek is a testament to the dedication and hard work of all the partners involved in the Sihek Recovery Program. By reintroducing these birds into the wild, the program aims to monitor and study their behavior to inform future releases and conservation efforts.
Through collaborative efforts and the support of organizations like the Smithsonian’s National Zoo, the Guam Department of Agriculture, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, ZSL, The Nature Conservancy, Sedgwick County Zoo, and others, the sihek are taking a significant step towards recovery and conservation. The hope is that one day, these birds will once again flourish in their native habitat on Guam.