uShaka rehabilitate 250 rescued baby Lesser Flamingos
Management at uShaka Marine World say they are not sure at this stage if they may be receiving more Lesser Flamingo Chicks for hand raising.
About 250 Lesser flamingo chicks who were abandoned by their parents at a dam in the Northern Cape were flown into Durban yesterday and transported to uShaka Marine World.
Thousands of dehydrated and starving Flamingo chicks who are just days old were rescued by the Kimberly SPCA from the Kamfers Dam near Kimberly a few days ago.
Ushaka Marine World Veterinarian, Caryl Knox says so far, the chicks are in good health and are being fed every three hours.
"They are getting more from the dam so we will get these guys strong and weaned for the next two to three months. This group of 250 will be with us and then when they start feeding themselves and are strong enough - we will take the next step as to where to release them. We have not crossed that bridge yet, we are just trying to get them strong," Knox said.
Knox says a team has been put together to take care of the chicks.
"We've unpacked them, assessed them and divided them into groups according to their weight. We've also got a small group of animals that need extra care in terms of fluids. That's a very small percentage. We are syringe feeding them every three hours. They are very hungry little guys and they are doing very well," Knox said.
According to a statement released by Ushaka Marine World, over 15 000 Lesser flamingos nest at the Kamfers Dam but the dam is drying up and the chicks have been abandoned.
The Marine World is now a temporary home for 250 of the scores rescued.
Others are being transported to accredited facilities across the country for hand raising.
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