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World's Oldest Known Albatross Is Breeding At 64!

By Peter R | Update Date: Dec 01, 2015 04:30 PM EST

The world's oldest tracked bird at 64 is still laying eggs!

UPI reports that Wisdom, a Laysan albatross was spotted recently in Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge in the Northern Pacific, along with her mate. The albatross is known to be carrying an egg and is expected to begin nesting. Wisdom was banded in 1956 and is said to have outlived many of her mates.

"In the face of dramatic seabird population decreases worldwide -70% drop since the 1950's when Wisdom was first banded-Wisdom has become a symbol of hope and inspiration," Refuge Manager, Dan Clark said in a blog post." We are a part of the fate of Wisdom and it is gratifying to see her return because of the decades of hard work conducted to manage and protect albatross nesting habitat."

Laysan albatrosses are known to mate for life but Wisdom has had multiple mates as she outlived many of them. Wisdom is known to have raised 36 chicks and is two times the average age to which albatrosses live.

"It is very humbling to think that she has been visiting Midway for at least 64 years. Navy sailors and their families likely walked by her not knowing she could possibly be rearing a chick over 50 years later. She represents a connection to Midway's past as well as embodying our hope for the future," Deputy Refuge Manager, Bret Wolfe said.

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