Some scientists are coming up with a radical idea to saving near extinct species – locating them out of their old native habitat that for the most part no longer exists and acculturating them to a new habitat. The sihek, or Guam kingfisher, is not a large bird but there are only 130 in captivity; they are extinct in the wild.
The idea is to help them go to a new tropical habitat. For weeks, biologist Erica Royer has been playing recordings of tropical sounds, the ones they will hear when they go to their new island. This is not the first attempt at translocation: Florida deer, Australian turtles, and other species, including plants needs help as the climate warms.
The birds fell prey to snakes after WW2, something guan had never had before but somehow got onto the island, probably through a cargo ship. The snakes gobbled up the eggs and the birds disappeared. Now on another atoll, they have a chance.
Prayer for the Day
The soft winds of summer grow stronger as the fall approaches,
And your earth breaks open with the bounty of harvest;
The evenings grow cooler and days grow shorter,
And we begin to consider the winter yet to come.
Burrow deep into our hearts your law of love, O God,
So we reflect your ways in our daily lives.
In the name of him who calls us to live,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen
Thoughts for the Day
Palmyra has ideal habitat. There’s abundant forest canopy that we think the birds will find suitable for them. Perhaps even most importantly, it’s predator-free.
Katie Franklin, island conservation strategy lead for The Nature Conservancy
The impacts of climate change on species habitat are forcing some wildlife to new areas to survive, while squeezing other species closer to extinction.
Interior Secretary Deb Haaland
Bless the Lord, O my soul, O Lord my God you are very great.
You are clothed with honor and majesty, wrapped in light as with a garment.
You stretch out the heavens like a tent, setting the setting your beams on the waters,
You make the clouds your chariot, riding on the wings of the wind
You make the winds your messengers, fire and flame your ministers
You set the earth on its foundations so it will never be shaken,
Covering it with the deep as with a garment, waters standing above the mountains
Psalm 104: 1-6