many bird species has had biological within an environment. Tracking declines The Association of Zoos and Aquariums consequences as well that are still being is essential in this process. (AZA) has a set of guidelines that A CURATOR'S PERSPECTIVE felt today. It is estimated that over can be found on their website for the two million of the brown tree snakes Some very good news is that slowing reintroduction of animals. To date, in still inhabit the island, although work is this decline is possible thanks to addition to Guam rails and California ongoing on clearing portions for possible the continuing collective efforts condors, AZA has participated in the future bird releases. The loss of so of institutions like AZA, Audubon reintroduction programs of the black- many birds from Guam has created a Society, U.S. Fish and Wildlife and footed ferret, Ohio River Basin freshwater thinning of the forest as well because IUCN, among many others, as well as mussels, golden lion tamarin, karner blue forests rely on the seed dispersal of the efforts of concerned citizens to butterfly, Oregon spotted frog, palila, red birds that occupy the habitat. Along with help spread awareness, save habitats, wolf, and the Wyoming toad. a more silent forest, there has also been provide prolonged watering seasons a huge increase in spiders that are able on farmlands to aid migratory birds, Here at Fresno Chaffee Zoo we are proud to thrive without birds to keep them in decrease pesticide usage, and assist to continue in this recovery effort and check. in bird counts. Slowing this decline hope you will come see these amazing can allow for species to recover before little birds the next time you visit us. The Birds are an essential component in our they are at the point of needing captive Guam rails can be seen in Tropical Bird ecosystems and food webs. Their visual breeding and reintroductions. House right next to the flamingo exhibit. Guam rail, Hypotaenidia owstoni, known locally in Guam, as ko’ko’ beauty and vocalizations make the world The small, fast, flightless bird does not a more enriching place. Additionally, as Fresno Chaffee Zoo is currently in the have much in the way of flight muscles, mentioned above, they also provide pest process of bringing in a new breeding but more than makes up for it with leg control, pollination and seed dispersal male Guam rail to be paired with our strength, allowing them to run fast. They Avoiding Extinction across all habitats that they occupy. Of female. To date, Fresno Chaffee Zoo has are omnivorous, consuming skinks, the 30,000 estimated animal species sent four Guam rail offspring back into geckos, small fish, snails, slugs, and WITH THE GUAM RAIL HYPOTAENIDIA OWSTONI currently threatened with extinction, 14% the wild as part of this recovery effort; insects. They forage mostly in the early are bird species. Knowing the effects of two males and two females. Guam rails morning hours and at dusk. At the Zoo, The small, flightless Guam rail, from Extinct in the Wild to Critically populations on the island. Through the losing so many birds so quickly, how that can breed throughout the year, up to 10 they are fed a diet that includes a variety Hypotaenidia owstoni, or ko’ko’, as it is Endangered – one step away from 1980s, 12 bird species, including five lack of diversity can affect the biomes clutches, and we are hoping that our new of live insects, which you may see them known locally, is one of only two birds extinction. A huge success that will which were endemic to Guam, no longer and, ultimately, the human food chain is formed pair will be as compatible and foraging for on exhibit. species to have recovered after being hopefully extend to the reintroduction of existed in the wild. Among the birds to a motivating factor that forces scientists prolific as our last pair. declared Extinct in the Wild….so far. The the Guam kingfisher as well. become globally extinct at the time was to look at more than just a single species first was the California condor Gymnogyps the Guam flycatcher. In 1987 the last californianus. These successes are due According to Suzanne Medina, Wildlife wild Guam rail at the time was killed by in large part to the Association of Zoos Biologist with the Guam Department one of these invasive predators. To date, Fresno Chaffee and Aquariums (AZA) institutions that of Agriculture, “If it wasn’t for the mobilized to assist in the effort to save zoos stepping up to begin our captive The long road to recovery for the Guam Zoo has sent four Guam these species. breeding, we would have lost ko’ko’ and rail began after capturing the last sihek [Guam Kingfisher] too.” remaining 21 birds in the 1980s, and rail offspring back into Over 35 years of concerted efforts of moving them into captive breeding the wild as part of this both the Guam Department of Agriculture The decline in bird species in Guam programs for re-release. Today there and AZA zoos in captive breeding and began in the 1960s after an invasive are over 200 living on the snake free recovery effort; two males relocation efforts has succeeded in tree snake, brought to the island in the island of Rota just north of Guam, as and two females. changing the status of these birds ballast of ships, began to decimate bird well as between 60-80 on the island of Cocos. The recovery effort continues Birds are an essential component in our with monitoring as well as predator prevention, awareness campaigns, and ecosystems and food webs. Their visual beauty on going captive breeding for future and vocalizations make the world a more releases. enriching place. One of four Guam rail chicks hatched at Fresno Chaffee Zoo and hand-raised with On the island of Guam, the loss of so puppets to limit imprinting and prepare them for release.