The baby birds were destined for doom. At the beginning of 2019, a nation-wide drought caused water levels at Kamfers Dam in Kimberley to plunge. This is the only breeding ground for lesser flamingos in the country and when the aquatic life that they feed on started disappearing, the birds did too. Nearly 40 000 adult birds flew off in search of food, leaving their helpless hatchlings behind. For the smallest of flamingo species, this could have spelled disaster, had local residents not stepped in to initiate what became a national rescue mission.
Almost 2 000 abandoned lesser flamingos were unable to fend for themselves and in need of dedicated care. From independent vets to rehabilitation centres, every institution that had the capacity to assist offered their aid. uShaka Marine World in Durban and SANCCOB in the Western Cape were among the establishments that offered to take in the tiny flamingos. Many had been starving for too long and died en route to their new homes. But for the chicks who held fast to the thread of life, there was hope. Donations poured in to help them survive as conservationists ensured the birds stayed strong. While doing so, they were careful to maintain minimal human interaction so the flamingos could eventually be released back into the wild.
By April, the local municipality had worked to restore water levels at Kamfers Dam, and conservationists deemed conditions stable. Hundreds of the surviving birds were gradually reintroduced to their natural environment. In a quarantined section of the wetlands, vets gave each flamingo a final assessment before allowing them to re-enter their original habitat. Today they have the strength to stand on their own. The impact of this rescue initiative is a symbol of hope in our collective efforts to protect the natural world.
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