The oldest albatross bird in the world still lays eggs at the age of 70

Laysan albatross named Wisdom was first identified by biologists in 1956 and is now at least 70 years old but still. laying eggs. 

First discovered in 1956 by biologist Chandler Robbins near the US naval base on Midway Atoll, Wisdom has now outlived its discoverer, as have all of his mates. me.

Although albatrosses in captivity have been known to live for close to 100 years, for wild birds, survival rates over 7 decades are extremely low.

Predation, food scarcity and, more recently, plastic waste are all life-threatening factors that wild albatrosses regularly deal with.

Wisdom albatrosses fly thousands of miles to forage and care for their young.

However, despite many hardships against it, Wisdom managed to outlive any wild bird known to man.

'Every year when Wisdom returns, we learn more about how long albatrosses can live and raise their young,' Beth Flint of the US Fish and Wildlife Service told NPR .

'Her return not only inspires bird lovers everywhere but also helps us better understand how we can protect these graceful albatrosses and the habitats they live in. they need to survive in the future".

Over the past decade, Wisdom has impressed scientists with her ability to survive thousands of miles to find food and care for her young.

Some biologists believe that the albatross has developed a unique skill set that allows it to avoid predators and work very efficiently, which plays a big part in its longevity.

'I think over the years, seagulls certainly learned how to avoid predators outside the ocean, it has learned how to find food very effectively and also avoid eating garbage humiliation ", home biologist John Klavitter of Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge.

The albatross only hatches an egg every few years, and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) believes Wisdom has hatched between 30 and 36 in its lifetime, the last time earlier in the year. now on.

Dr Beth Flint said: 'We believe Wisdom has had other mates. Although albatrosses mate for life, they can find new mates if needed. Because if they live longer than their first mate."

Because albatrosses only nest once every few years, biologists are always eagerly waiting to see if they return to Midway Atoll, and it hasn't disappointed them yet.