MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) – The Montgomery Zoo is proud to announce its first successful flamingo hatch in over 20 years.
Over the last two months, four Caribbean flamingo chicks have hatched thanks to the extensive work and research conducted by the animal care team.
Kisba (‘KISS-bah’), Uyuni (‘oo-YOO-nee’), Puddles, and Pippi hatched on June 4, June 7, June 24, and July 7, respectively.
Care teams constructed a mud “wallow” to sustain the muddy structure needed for proper flamingo nesting. The first eggs were found May 7, and by the season’s peak, there were nine flamingo nests.
“It was a ton of work,” said Mesha Jones, head keeper over flamingos. “Every day we were out there building up the mud wallow, hosing it down, and just hoping the flamingos would go for it. Some days it felt like we were just covered in mud for nothing. But now, seeing those little chicks wobbling around… It’s amazing. Totally worth seeing our guests enjoy them as much as we do.”
Visitors to the Montgomery Zoo can see Kisba, Puddles, and Pippi exploring the aviary. Uyuni is currently in the zoo’s veterinary clinic after sustaining a scrape to the head and will rejoin the flock as soon as possible…