A 74-year-old female albatross has laid an egg. Researchers estimate that Wisdom (keeping her name) will likely give birth to another chick. This ancient bird was tagged in 1956, when it was only a few years old. “This is really unusual,” said biologist John Prisner. He added that representatives of this species live from 12 to 40 years.
The world's oldest wild bird known to scientists laid her eggs at the age of 74 in a protected area on Midway Atoll, part of the Hawaiian Islands, the BBC reported.
A female albatross named Wisdom was photographed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as she and her mate tend to their eggs.
Albatross typically live between 12 and 40 years, but Widsom was captured in 1956 after she laid her eggs. The age was estimated based on the fact that there are no known instances of females of this species laying eggs before the age of five.
Wisdom's previous offspring hatched in 2021. She is believed to have raised more than 30 chicks during her lifetime.
A 74-year-old female albatross has laid an egg.
Albatrosses typically mate for life, but Wisdom is thought to have outlived at least three matings.
John Pilsner, a wildlife biologist at Midway Atoll, said Wisdom is one of two to three million albatrosses that come there to breed. He added that biologists are not aware of any other birds that come close in age. The next bird is said to be 45 years old.
“It's really unusual,” the researcher said. – She arouses the interest of people all over the world. Every year, we wait with bated breath for her return, he added.
Pilsner reported that Wisdom still appears to have enough energy and maternal instincts to raise another chick. He says there's a 70 to 80 percent chance that her latest eggs will hatch offspring.
Reference: United States. The elephant ran away from the circus. he took a walk in the city
Although Midway Atoll is part of the Hawaiian Islands, it is not part of the U.S. state of Hawaii and is referred to as an unincorporated territory of the United States. This wildlife sanctuary is home to the world's largest albatross colony.
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