2 Lost Flamingos Rescued Off FL’s West Coast After Hurricane Idalia

FLORIDA — In the days following Hurricane Idalia’s hit to Florida, migrating flamingos blown off course while traveling from Mexico to Cuba have been spotted up and down the west coast of Florida — from Sanibel to Tallahassee.

Some of these disoriented birds have found themselves in sticky situations since mistakenly landing in the Sunshine State.

Michael Patterson and Scooter, “a pair of eagle-eyed lifeguards,” spotted “a surprise guest” at Siesta Key Beach on Friday morning — a lost flamingo, Sarasota County wrote in a Facebook post.

• Also Read: Rare Wild Flamingos Seen Across FL’s West Coast After Hurricane Idalia

A volunteer from Save Our Seabirds came out to rescue “this majestic bird” and brought it to the organization’s facility, the county said.

Another displaced flamingo was also found struggling in the water off St. Pete Beach Friday afternoon, SPCA Tampa Bay said in a news release.

The bird was found about 800 yards off Blind Pass by Captain Jeff Brooks and Madeira Beach Commissioner Anne-Marie Brooks during a boat trip organized by Bobbie Shay Lee, aide to Pinellas County Commissioner Brian Scott, to assess beach erosion caused by the storm.

“It was swimming away from land and seemed very confused and exhausted,” SPCA said.

The elected officials and others on the boat “jumped into action when they saw this flamingo in distress,” Martha Boden, the agency’s CEO, said.

SPCA Tampa Bay’s wildlife team was ready to assist, setting up temporary housing for the flamingo at its “for-all” animal shelter in Largo. It was brought to a licensed rehabilitator Saturday.

“This is a great example of what we mean when we say ‘every animal matters,’” Boden said. “Our ‘for-all’ shelter is there for any species who needs our help.”