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By Shamim Chowdhury
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The world's oldest known wild bird has defied age once again by laying an egg—even though she is thought to be around 74 years old, wildlife officials announced this week.
Wisdom, a Laysan albatross, laid her first egg in four years at the Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, located at the far northwestern edge of the Hawaiian Archipelago.
Experts believe this may be her 60th egg.
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Wisdom's reproductive feat, spanning decades, has captured the attention of wildlife enthusiasts and researchers alike.
The long-lived seabird, first banded as an adult in 1956, has made the remote refuge her nesting ground since 2006, returning each year to lay and hatch eggs.
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How Did Wisdom, the Laysan Albatross, Lay her Egg?
Laysan albatrosses are known for their lifelong monogamy and typically lay one egg per year.
However, Wisdom's mate, Akeakamai, has not been seen for several years, prompting Wisdom to pair with a new male this season.
"We are hopeful that this egg will hatch," said Jonathan Plissner, a supervisory wildlife biologist at Midway Atoll. "Every year, millions of seabirds return to this refuge to nest, and Wisdom's successful return is a testament to the resilience of these incredible birds."
Albatrosses, known for their long wingspans and endurance over vast oceanic expanses, take turns incubating their eggs for around seven months.
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Laysan Albatrosses: Known for Their Lifelong Monogamy
After hatching, the chicks remain in the nest for about five to six months before flying out to sea to embark on their long migratory journeys, often feeding on squid and fish eggs during their travels.
Wisdom's legacy is already impressive, having raised as many as 30 chicks during her lifetime.
Her advanced years have seen her defy not only the general longevity odds for her species, but also the odds created by the declining condition of her natural habitat.
Environmentalists say the islands of the Midway Atoll, where she nests, can become ridden with plastic pollution.
Plastic Pollution Harmful to Albatrosses
They found that many albatrosses have died with bellies full of plastic over the years, although efforts have been in place to clean up the area.
The typical life span of a Laysan albatross is around 68 years, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), making Wisdom's continued breeding activity even more extraordinary.
As one of the world's most resilient and enduring species, Wisdom's continued survival and reproductive success provide vital insights into the remarkable lives of these long-lived seabirds.
This article contains additional reporting from The Associated Press.
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