INDIAN SHORES, Fla. — A flamingo that was rescued last week in the waters off St. Pete Beach is now recovering at the Seaside Seabird Sanctuary in Indian Shores.
What You Need To Know
- A flamingo is recovering at Seaside Bird Sanctuary after being rescued in St. Pete Beach last week
- Residents across the Bay Area have spotted similar flamingos throughout the region following Hurricane Idalia
- For anyone who comes across flamingos in their area, it is recommended to stay at least 100 feet away
“We’re primarily focusing on supportive care and building that strength back up and giving him that time to rest,” said Melissa Edwards, director of the sanctuary’s the avian hospital.
For the flamingo, that means getting plenty to eat, along with rest in his very own recovery stall.
“They are filter birds feeders, so they primarily eat small crustaceans,” Edwards said, as she prepared the flamingo a meal.
Residents across the Bay Area have spotted similar flamingos throughout the region following Hurricane Idalia. Edwards said it’s not clear how long they will stay, so residents should enjoy them while they can.
“Eventually, they will most likely make their way either back down to Cuba or the Yucatan Peninsula,” Edwards said. “They’ve certainly been through a lot. I don’t think they were expecting to get swept up in a hurricane and end up in Florida.”
For anyone who comes across flamingos in their area, Edwards recommends staying at least 100 feet away. As for the flamingo recovering at the sanctuary, Edwards said he will likely be released into a flock in the area over the next few days.
The Seaside Seabird Sanctuary is open to visitors seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., free of charge.