In the salt flats, lagoons and wetlands of northern Chile, three species of flamingos inhabit: the Andean flamingo, the James’s flamingo, and the Chilean flamingo.
Their survival depends on fragile ecosystems that today face environmental pressures from climate change, mining, and the intervention of water resources.
Andean Flamingo Conservation Project
The initiative in San Pedro de Atacama seeks to protect these birds through a comprehensive strategy that combines:
- Science and satellite monitoring.
- Environmental education in rural schools.
- Communication and culture through festivals and community activities.
- Collaborative work with tour operators, municipalities, and local residents.
The project brings together the National Zoo of Parquemet, Fundación MERI, the international program SAFE (Saving Animals From Extinction) of the AZA, and the Zoo Conservation Outreach Group (ZCOG).
Andean Flamingo Week
During this celebration, children from localities such as Camar, Solor, and Río Grande became “Flamingo Guardians.” Additionally, the 5th Flamingo Festival brought together 200 people in the Puribeter Elemental Reserve, reinforcing the link between science and community.
Francisca Cortés Solari, president of Fundación MERI, highlighted: “Science must move from research to impact. It is education, design, and communication that awaken interest in such a beautiful species as the flamingo”.
Technology for Conservation
The South American Flamingo Conservation Program of the National Zoo installed 23 satellite transmitters on specimens of the three species. These devices, weighing only 30 grams, allow recording of position and flight speed without altering their behavior.
An unprecedented milestone was the tagging of the first Chilean flamingo monitored with this technology in the country. Guillermo Cubillos, project leader, explained that this data is vital for designing effective public policies.
Ecological Importance of the Andean Flamingo
- Sentinel species: their presence indicates the health of Andean ecosystems.
- Ecological regulation: they control microalgae and fertilize wetlands with their droppings.
- Extreme vulnerability: long-lived birds that lay only one egg per year; the Andean flamingo has just 40,000 individuals.
- Climate resilience: the salt flats and lagoons where they live are essential for carbon capture.
Main Threats
- Habitat intervention: reduction of nesting areas due to water alteration.
- Climate crisis: models predict a severe decrease in habitat suitability.
Protection Actions
There are joint initiatives between CONAF, universities, indigenous communities, and private companies to safeguard the environments used by these birds in summer and winter. Fundación MERI promotes science and environmental education programs to strengthen conservation.
The Andean Flamingo Conservation Project in Chile demonstrates how the union of science and community can protect key species and fragile ecosystems.
The articulation between technology, education, and social participation offers a replicable model to face the threats of climate change and ensure the survival of these emblematic birds.
