74-Year-Old Albatross Lays Egg, Sets Record

AFP

Hawaii: At the remarkable age of 74, Wisdom, a Laysan Albatross, has defied expectations by laying another egg, setting a record as the oldest known wild bird in the world.

Identified and tagged in 1956 when she laid her first egg, Wisdom has nested annually at the Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, a nesting ground for millions of seabirds near Hawaii.

Laysan Albatrosses are known for their monogamy, and for decades, Wisdom returned with the same partner, raising over 50 chicks during her lifetime. However, in recent years, her partner has not been seen, and Wisdom has since been observed courting new mates.

This year, her new partner is helping incubate their egg, and wildlife experts are hopeful for its successful hatching. “We are optimistic that the egg will hatch,” said Jonathan Plissner, supervisory wildlife biologist at the refuge.

Photographs and videos released by the US Fish and Wildlife Service show the pair tending to their egg, taking turns to incubate it.

Wisdom’s extraordinary longevity far surpasses the typical lifespan of most seabirds, which generally live up to 40 or 50 years. With a wingspan of up to 80 inches (203 centimeters), Laysan Albatrosses can travel over 930 miles (1,500 kilometers) to forage for food.

Wisdom’s story highlights the resilience of these remarkable seabirds, which are found across the North Pacific and Southern Hemisphere. Her legacy also draws attention to the importance of wildlife conservation in protecting these long-lived species.