8400 31st St
Brookfield, IL 60513
USA
Guam kingfishers, or sihek as the birds are known by Guam’s indigenous Chamoru people, went extinct in the wild due to invasive brown tree snakes introduced to the island during World War II. A rescue effort was launched in 1980 to bring 28 sihek in the care of zoos, including Chicago’s Brookfield Zoo, with the goal of one day reintroducing the species back into the wild. Last August, 36 years later, nine sihek were flown to the Palmyra Atoll and placed in pre-release aviaries as a prelude to a trial reintroduction effort. One of those birds originated at Brookfield Zoo. Cody Hickman, the zoo’s associate director of avian care and conservation, will share the story and explain the zoo’s involvement.
Space is limited; registration is required with priority to Lake/Cook members. Email renabird3@gmail.com to register.
Park in the South parking lot and go to the South Gate entrance; zoo personnel will have a list of registrants direct you to the correct building. Free zoo admission.