50 flamingo chicks to be flown from Durban to Kimberley
A fifth of the almost 10-week-old Lesser Flamingos being rehabilitated in Durban will be flown back home tomorrow.
Around 250 of a colony of sickly birds were rescued from a Kimberely dam in January and transported to uShaka Marine World.
Initially, the birds were kept hydrated and syringe fed by hand.
Veterinarian, Dr Francois Lampen says some of the birds have since grown to be self-sufficient.
READ: Rescued flamingos: uShaka gets overwhelming response
He says they will be placed in an enclosure on arrival in Kimberley.
"They'll be fed there the whole time. All of the birds have been self-feeding for a long time already. Their weights are stable -- they are gaining quite nicely. Once in a larger enclosure in Kimberley, they will be supported there with food. At some stage, the enclosure will be opened up to the dam and the birds will be able to join the wild flock of chicks," Lampen said.
The transfer will be co-ordinated with other facilities across the country.
The remaining birds that are not yet suitable for release will be flown to and cared for at Pretoria Zoo.
ALSO READ: uShaka rehabilitate 250 rescued baby Lesser Flamingos
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