UAE: How 10 flamingoes were rescued after ball-sized hails, heavy rains hit Abu Dhabi reserve

Many of the flamingoes had been struck with injuries to their heads, wings and delicate legs

Web Desk

Published: Sun 3 Nov 2024, 5:55 PM

Last updated: Mon 4 Nov 2024, 10:39 AM

From Abu Dhabi's swampy wetlands emerges a story of resilience and courage of ten injured flamingoes and their human saviours who swept in to rescue them after a harrowing night of unprecedented stormy weather.

It all started when a raging storm hit the Al Wathba Wetland Reserve in Abu Dhabi, accompanied by heavy rains and ball-sized hail. With no humans in sight, it was the flamingoes that faced the brunt of the unexpected weather conditions.

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In a video shared by the Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi, rescuers recalled the intensity of the hailstorm that made holes in the sand, becoming the main culprit behind the flamingoes death.

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When the team returned to the reserve during early morning hours, they were devastated by the sight of dead and injured flamingoes across the sandy area. Many had been struck with injuries to their heads, wings and delicate legs.

Yet, a strange sight welcomed them — the chicks survived the storm.

The babies were found alive under the older flamingoes' bodies, who protected them throughout the stormy night, sacrificing their own lives for the young ones. Most injured birds were found by the nesting site as the adult birds refused to abandon them. Despite their brave efforts, the hailstorm destroyed most of the nests.

The agency's team immediately called for backup and everyone got to work to save the surviving flamingoes. The authority collaborated with Yas SeaWorld Research and Rescue Centre, whose experienced doctors and staff helped give the flamingoes a new chance at life.

Upon inspection, veterinarians majorly found cases of fractures and neurological damage among the birds. Before doing anything major treatment, they started by hooking the birds to fluids and giving them antibiotics to ensure they were stable.

"It is my 40th year in the zoological industry and I have never seen something like this," said a doctor at the centre.

After the team at Al Wathba Wetland Reserve calculated the cases, they found out that majority of the birds were unharmed. As for the flamingo chicks, the team took them to the rescue centre too.

The medical team faced a new task when it came to unborn chicks — to become their parents. "We monitored the hatching and helped the chicks get out of their eggs. These small birds have lost their parents. Now, we are their parents, we are their mothers. We have to provide them with everything that they need," said one of the rescue staff.

After the flamingoes were rescued, they were released at the reserve, soon after which followed the chicks. On the shore of Al Wathba lake and under the city's sunny skies, the chicks and flamingoes reunited at home.

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