Zoo Conservation Outreach Group

Partners, colleagues, and friends:

All this week, our Chilean partners are in the Andean highlands of San Pedro de Atacama to celebrate flamingos in anticipation of International Flamingo Day on April 26. Team members from the Zoológico Nacional de Chile and Fundación MERI have developed a full program of education workshops, public awareness events, and community engagement activities to promote the conservation of Andean, Chilean, and Puna (James’) flamingos and their wetland habitat. A calendar of events is attached. Follow activity updates on the SAFE Andean Highland Flamingo forum on the AZA Network and on Facebook.

Yesterday and today, will be working with local communities to develop, and later install, educational and interpretive signage to help protect flamingo feeding, breeding, and nesting habitat in areas of high tourist visitation in and around the Reserva Nacional Los Flamencos (see attached graphic).

This week’s activities are funded by the SAFE Andean Highland Flamingo program and its partners. Thank you for your support!

Your AZA accredited facility can help SAFE protect our fabulous, flamingo friends and their salty salar habitat by becoming a program partner or donating here: https://bit.ly/DonateFlamingos

About SAFE Andean Highland Flamingo: SAFE Andean Highland Flamingo supports the recovery and conservation of Andean, Chilean, and Puna (James’) flamingos through research, engagement, training, outreach, and education. AZA members work with Chilean private and public sector partners to support activities outlined in the country’s Andean highland flamingo conservation plan by filling research gaps, and assisting with the identification, prioritization, and designation of critical flamingo habitat in Chile’s Andean highlands. Learn more: https://www.aza.org/safe-species

Special thanks to our SAFE Andean Highland Flamingo program partners for their financial support: Alexandria Zoological Park, Dickerson Park Zoo, Ellen Trout Zoo [official], Greenville Zoo, Louisville Zoo, Reid Park Zoo, Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden, Roger Williams Park Zoo & Carousel Village, Topeka Zoo, Tracy Aviary, and Zoo Atlanta. Additional thanks to the Nashville Zoo AAZK, Riverbanks Zoo and Garden’s Satch Krantz Conservation Fund, The Toronto Zoo’s Endangered Species Reserve Fund, Ron Magill Conservation Endowment and the Zoo Miami Foundation, and The Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Conservation Grants Fund (CGF) and SAFE Granting Program. Key funding for this long-term initiative has also been provided by all members of the Zoo Conservation Outreach Group Board of Directors.

Thank you!