New group of extinct-in-the-wild Sihek heading to quarantine ahead of expected wild release
Two years after the ‘First Nine’ birds made history on Palmyra Atoll, Brookfield Zoo Chicago joins conservation partners in preparing for the next major milestone in Sihek recovery efforts
Brookfield, IL—As many as eight Sihek (also known as Guam kingfishers) will likely be headed for wild release at Palmyra Atoll later this year, nearly doubling their wild population.
This transfer will mark only the second time in 40 years that new members of this cinnamon-hued species will live in the wild. They’ll soon join the first nine Sihek, who arrived on Palmyra in 2024 from a variety of Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited institutions—including a male named Yayas from Brookfield Zoo Chicago. Palmyra Atoll provides a safe haven for Sihek because it is predator free and fully protected as a Nature Conservancy Preserve and research station located within a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wildlife Refuge.
Known as Sihek by the indigenous CHamoru* people, this colorful bird once flourished on the North Pacific Island of Guam. However, the accidental introduction of the Brown Tree Snake to the island in the 1940s wiped out many native birds, bats and lizards.
The international collaboration project known as the Sihek Recovery Program has been working behind the scenes with Sihek populations under managed care to hatch and fledge enough genetically diverse birds to preserve the species and establish a healthy wild population.
“Palmyra Atoll provides the Sihek a safe, wild home to thrive in and establish a breeding population, with the goal of one day returning the species to Guam, once the threat from snakes is controlled. Until then, our work moves the Sihek on a path toward recovery and away from the very real risk of extinction, giving this small but mighty bird a chance to reclaim its place in the wild,” said the Sihek Recovery Program.
In anticipation of this release, 10 Sihek from Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited institutions will travel to Disney’s Animal Kingdom and quarantine in a behind-the-scenes, bio secure facility for about two months. The Sihek Recovery Program will determine which birds will make the 5,400-mile journey to Palmyra, accompanied by project team members. Excitingly, six of the 10 are females, which are grossly outnumbered by 2:1 to males in the overall population. The 10 Sihek are coming from the following facilities:
Brookfield Zoo Chicago
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
National Aviary
Oregon Zoo
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Sedgwick County Zoo
Saint Louis Zoo
“We’ve loved following Yayas’ journey, one of the ‘First Nine’, on Palmyra Atoll and are hopeful that another bird from Brookfield Zoo Chicago will soon help write the next chapter in the Sihek’s return to the wild,” said Cody Hickman, director of avian care and conservation at Brookfield Zoo Chicago. “It’s a powerful reminder that the birds our guests see here in Chicago are part of something much bigger—a global effort to restore a species that nearly vanished from nature in our lifetime.” These releases will ideally be repeated annually until 20 Sihek successfully establish as breeding pairs at Palmyra. Project members will continue to track and monitor those released, as they hopefully raise the first wild-born Sihek chicks since the 1980s. To date, several pairs have successfully created nests and laid eggs; however, the first hatch is still eluding the wild pairs. The last wild sighting of Sihek was in 1988, and the birds are now considered Extinct in the Wild by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). There are currently fewer than 150 Sihek left in the world. If all goes well in quarantine, up to eight birds will be released at Palmyra, nearly doubling their wild population.
Additional quotes from Sihek Recovery Program participants:
“The Safari Park has proudly partnered in Sihek recovery for more than 30 years,” said Andrew Stehly, curator of birds at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. “At one point, the Safari Park cared for 10% of the global population, working alongside our partners to help ensure the survival of this species. There is no greater reward than watching a species get a second chance in protected habitat.”
“We’re honored to have been trusted with Guafi’s care these past few years and overjoyed that he may soon be flying free on Palmyra,” said Nicole LaGreco, who oversees the Oregon Zoo’s bird population. “Hopefully, he and the other Sihek can help start a new chapter in the conservation of this amazing species.”
“The National Aviary is so excited to once again be sending young Sihek on a transformational journey that hopefully ends with healthy, genetically diverse birds joining their counterparts in the wild,” said Brianna Crane, senior aviculturist at the National Aviary, who plans to accompany the chosen birds to Palmyra later this year.
“The Sihek is a shining example of how collaboration can drive endangered species recovery. As conservation zoos rear the next cohort of chicks, our Palmyra field team is busy gearing up for their arrival—preparing aviaries and scoping release sites across the atoll. Over the last two years, the ‘First Nine’ birds have demonstrated that it is possible for Sihek to not only survive but truly thrive in the wild. We are thrilled to enter the next phase of growth for this resilient species,” said Dr. Caitlin Andrews, bird conservation scientist at The Nature Conservancy & Zoological Society of London.
“As the project continues, it becomes even more imperative to succeed in all the aspects of what we do here at Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. The first release year kind of felt like a building year, making sure we had the basics down and that we knew the birds could succeed. More guidelines and expectations are set now, and I feel that it's really time for the program to shine this time around. We can't wait to see how this new crew of birds adapts to the island and how two seasons of youngsters develop this habitat and their territories together,” said Aimee Owen, senior aviculturist at Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden.
* “CHamoru” (capitalizing “CH”) is recognized by the CHamoru Language Commission as the orthographically correct spelling.
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Media Contact: Zoo PR Director Julianne Olivo at julianne.olivo@brookfieldzoo.org or 708-688-8351
Media Note: B-roll and photos are available for download here, with credit to “© Brookfield Zoo Chicago” for media use only.
About the Sihek Recovery Program:
The Sihek Recovery Program is a global collaborative of conservationists dedicated to recovering one of Guam’s most iconic native species, the Sihek (Guam kingfisher, Todiramphus cinnamominus). The Sihek Recovery Program is made up of partners from the above and the following organizations: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), Guam Department of Agriculture - Division of Aquatic and Wildlife Resources (Guam DAWR), Zoological Society of London (ZSL), The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Sedgwick County Zoo, Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
About Brookfield Zoo Chicago: Connect. Care. Conserve.
Since 1934, Brookfield Zoo Chicago has been a global leader in animal well-being and conservation, inspiring conservation leadership by connecting people with wildlife and nature. The Zoo is a private nonprofit organization that operates on 235 acres of land owned by the Forest Preserves of Cook County and is home to more than 3,500 animals representing over 500 species—including many of Earth’s most endangered. Brookfield Zoo Chicago was the first zoo in the world to be Humane Certified™ by the American Humane Society for the care and welfare of its animals, and is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums, and ArbNet. For more information, visit www.brookfieldzoo.org or follow @BrookfieldZoo on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and Threads.
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
The world-famous Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is committed to inspiring visitors to care about wildlife and wild places. It was voted the #1 Best Zoo and the #1 Best Botanical Garden in USA TODAY reader polls and has also received rave reviews from Child Magazine, Parents Magazine, Newsweek, and TripAdvisor. Over 1.8 million people visit the Zoo’s award-winning habitats, 400 animal and 3000 plant species annually. The Zoo, an accredited member of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) since 1978, is internationally known for its success in the protection and propagation of endangered animals and plants and engages in research and conservation projects worldwide. Cincinnati Zoo is committed to greening its daily operations using solar energy, rainwater capture and reuse systems, sustainable building practices, and more! The Cincinnati Zoo is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
National Aviary
Located on Pittsburgh’s historic Northside since its founding in 1952, the one and only National Aviary is home to 500 birds representing more than 150 diverse species from around the world, many of them threatened or endangered in the wild. The National Aviary’s large walk-through habitats create an intimate, up-close interaction between visitors and free-flying birds, including opportunities to hand-feed and to meet many species rarely found in zoos. For more information, visit aviary.org.
Oregon Zoo
The Oregon Zoo helps make greater Portland a great place to call home. Committed to conservation, the zoo acts globally on behalf of species from pikas to polar bears. Over the past 30 years, it has prevented extinctions, expanded populations, advanced conservation science, and formed powerful communities to protect wildlife in the Northwest and around the world.
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, a nonprofit conservation leader, inspires passion for nature and collaboration for a healthier world. The Alliance supports innovative conservation science through global partnerships and groundbreaking efforts at the world-famous San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park, both leading zoological institutions and accredited botanical gardens. Through wildlife care expertise, cutting-edge science and continued collaboration, more than 44 endangered species have been reintroduced to native habitats. The Alliance reaches over 1 billion people annually through its two conservation parks and media channels in 170 countries, including San Diego Zoo Wildlife Explorers television, available in children’s hospitals across 14 countries. Wildlife Allies—members, donors and guests—make success possible.
The Nature Conservancy | California and Hawai’i - Palmyra
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is a global non-profit organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Informed by science and guided by traditional values and practices, we apply innovative, nature-based solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive. TNC purchased Palmyra Atoll in 2000 to preserve it and turned over the majority of the property to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, which designated it a National Wildlife Refuge. As part of our Island Resilience Strategy, TNC maintains a globally significant preserve and research station at Palmyra Atoll. TNC has forged partnerships to care for 13 preserves and 18 managed areas in Hawai‘i and Palmyra Atoll, working with government, private parties and communities to protect Hawai‘i’s and Palmyra’s forests and coral reefs for their ecological values and for the many benefits they provide to people. Visit www.nature.org/HawaiiPalmyra or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
