Flamingo bashed at Adelaide Zoo
Flamingo at Adelaide Zoo
I was quite horrified to hear the news this morning about a 78 year old Flamingo being bashed by four teenagers at the Adelaide Zoo. Why would someone do this? It seems incomprehensible. What is more, the bird is blind and is the oldest Flamingo in captivity. It came to our local zoo here in the 1930s.
I took the photo above only last Friday on my most recent visit to the zoo. I am a Life Member so I visit often, mainly to see the excellent collection of birds, especially in the walk through aviaries. Having the birds up close is also great for photography, especially of species I would be hard pressed to see in the wild, let alone photograph them.
The news today is that the bird is making a good recovery. The four culprits, however, have been detained by police and stand to be fined up to $50,000 or four years in prison.
For the full story, including a video of the bird and an interview with the director of the zoo, go to this link:
- Shock over Adelaide Zoo Flamingo bashing
For more news about zoos in Australia – and around the world – go to ZooChat, an on-line forum about zoos owned by my son. It covers over 450 zoos from over 50 countries and features news and discussions about zoos. The rapidly growing gallery has over 18,000 photos.
I cant believe that anyone would intentionally hurt this beautiful old bird.
I live in Perth, and was lucky enough to see the Flamingo when i I went to visit the Adelaide zoo earlier this year.
You guys have an absolutely beautful zoo, you must be so proud of it, and im sure if i feel this crap after hearing this news, you must all be heartbroken.
The stupid boys who did this are old enough to vote! (Although i would argue that theyre not the type of people we want voting), they are old enough to breed (although again, theyre obviously not the type of humans we want to be reproducing) they are certainly old enough and ugly enough to have their names released.
This poor bird, and the whole community has to suffer the consequences of what these stupid boys did.
they and their loved ones should have to suffer the repurcussions too, and they should be forced to pay the community back for what they did, in hours of service, doing horrible jobs, all while wearing t-shirts that say “im the idiot who bashed your flamingo”.
We werent there to protect this gorgeous bird. Why should we have to protect these stupid boys??
I seen this on the news last night, how sad of a story. I feel for that poor flamingo. It just makes me so angry to hear a story like that. The best thing for the cowardly purpetrators that did this is for their NAMES to be made PUBLIC! then lets see if they do it again!
good news on flamingo go to: “http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/video”
then type in the video search box “flamingo”
click on “Injured flamingo back home”
Very good to see that he is better
Thanks for your comments Kendal and Robert. Good to see that the Flamingo is well on the way to recovery. Such was the outcry here in South Australia is was front page news on the state wide newspaper and the lead item on the television news.
It will be interesting to see what punishment is given when the youths concern appear. It is hoped that it will be severe enough to deter future events like this ever happening.
[…] #20 1 Minute Ago The television news last night showed footage of the Flamingo as he once more went into his usual enclosure and sporting a few bruises and sores. His companion is still well and truly alive and they look after each other. I understand that the victim is blind (in one eye I think) and the other Flamingo is deaf. My most recent visit to Adelaide zoo was a few days before the incident. Here is a link to my blog showing a photo I took then: Flamingo bashed at Adelaide Zoo […]
[…] Adelaide Zoo has been very much in the news lately. I refer to the recent attack on one of the Flamingos in the zoo. Fortunately the injured bird is well on the way to recovery and back on exhibit. The […]
Artist moved by flamingo’s plight
Australian artist auctions work for bashed bird
In an effort to raise money and awareness for the half-blind, 70-something-year-old greater flamingo that was attacked at Adelaide Zoo at the end of last month, Australian artist Patrick Christie is auctioning the number one print of his most recent work, PINK. Christie’s hand-embossed, limited-edition giclee print features three flamingos.
All proceeds from the auction will go to Adelaide Zoo to benefit the greater flamingo in its recovery and care. Those wishing to bid on the unframed H75cmxH50cm pen and ink on paper print can do so on eBay from 12noon AEST on Friday 14 November 2008. The auction closes 10 days later. The numbered print is hand embossed, signed, and finished with an original detail of a hand drawn flamingo by the artist. Bidders can now view the print on the artist’s website at http://www.patrickchristieink.com until the end of the auction period.
The attack on Greater 1, as the flamingo is known, occurred on the afternoon of 29 October and nearly killed the bird, according to its handlers. Four youths, aged 17 to 19, were later charged with animal cruelty and remanded to appear in court. Greater 1 suffered serious injury to the beak and head, causing blood to seep into his airway, as well as concussion.
Christie was putting final touches on PINK, his pen and ink drawing of three flamingos, when he heard the first report of the attack on Greater 1. He felt moved to take action to help the bird and raise awareness about responsible interactions with animals.
“The needless pain and grief suffered by Greater 1, and those animals and carers close to him, is very disheartening. As citizens of our natural world, we all have the duty to ensure we interact with every animal in an appropriate and responsible manner. It’s about respecting life. Teaching children to handle all animals with care. Gently stepping in when we see or hear of any animal being mistreated,†said Christie.
Greater 1, the flamingo, continues his rehabilitation at Adelaide Zoo.
“Greater 1 is on the road to recovery,†said Adelaide Zoo CEO Dr Chris West. “Initially losing weight and not eating, the keepers at Adelaide Zoo closely monitored him, concerned with his loss of weight. Over the last few days he has started to eat regularly, again preening himself and appearing comfortable back in his home with his friend the Chilean Flamingo,†said Dr West.
– END –
Media Enquiries:
Christopher Totten
Patrick Christie Ink
Communications Manager
Email: christopher@patrickchristieink.com
Mobile: 0405 990 646
Hi there Christopher,
Thanks for your comment. I would be very keen to promote this with a separate article highlighting the auction. However, I am a little hesitant to do so because I can find no reference to this on the official zoo website. Accordingly, I have sent an email to the zoo asking if they have any knowledge of this and whether they have approved it.
Please note that this is not meant to be taken as a knock back or criticism. I am just being very cautious regarding scams. I have enough trouble with spam comments as it is. I do hope that you understand my caution.
When I get confirmation from the zoo I intend to write a separate article about the painting and auction. This will promote the auction worldwide to potentially 20,000+ readers.
I apologize if my action has offended you in any way. I think it is an excellent idea.
Hi Trevor,
The auction is under way.
Have you confirmed the auction with the Adelaide Zoo yet?
It would be an great help if you dedicated a story on your site for the flamingo.
Cheers,
Christopher
[…] recently had a media release from an Australian artist concerned about the plight of the flamingo that was recently bashed at the Adelaide Zoo. Here is what he said: Artist moved by flamingo’s […]
Hi Christopher
The Adelaide Zoo has confirmed the auction. The article promoting the auction has appeared here:
http://www.trevorsbirding.com/artist-moved-by-flamingos-plight/
Sorry about the delay – I’ve been both busy and unwell in recent days.
All the best with the auction.
[…] proceeds from this auction on Ebay will go towards helping the flamingo recently bashed at the Adelaide […]