Flamingo Released Back Into Wild After Rescue: FL Sanctuary

PINELLAS COUNTY, FL — A waterlogged flamingo that flew into Pinellas County during Hurricane Idalia and was rescued off St. Pete Beach was released back into the wild Saturday morning, Seaside Seabird Sanctuary wrote in a Facebook post.

“While they did not give us a grand departing initial flight, we were treated to a show of rousing, bathing, preening and even the quintessential ‘flamingo dance’ as they stirred up the sediment while foraging in the water,” the sanctuary wrote.

After about an hour, the bird, affectionately named Peaches by its rescuers, took flight.

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The release location “was chosen for its ideal habitat and foraging opportunities for the bird as well as distance from major roadways,” the sanctuary said. The exact location wasn't included in the post.

The organization worked with Jerry Lorenz of Audubon Florida and Frank Ridgley of Zoo Miami, who started the Florida Flamingos Working Group, to fit Peaches with a federal band, a resight band and a satellite transmitter to track their movements.

Peaches is only the second flamingo ever to be banded in the U.S. The transmitter will share data from the bird’s movements for at least two or three years, the sanctuary said.

DNA testing results will also be available in a few weeks to let researchers know whether the flamingo is a male or female.

Though there were no other flamingos seen at the time of the release, sightings of the bright pink birds have been reported daily in the area, the sanctuary said.

As of Sunday afternoon, Peaches hasn’t joined the flock of other flamingos, which isn’t “totally surprising as they continue to acclimate to their new surroundings,” the organization said.

The sanctuary said it’s also received reports that some people are harassing Peaches for photos.

“Our biggest message that we have tried to share throughout this experience is that we need to give these birds space and respect, and this remains true. Please do not try to approach any flamingos that you see, and please report this behavior to (the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission) or park officials,” the organization said. “It is our responsibility to ensure our wildlife are respected, and we can enjoy them ethically and responsibly.”