Flamingo Symposium flies into San Diego

SAN DIEGO (CNS) – Scientists and zookeepers from around the world will gather at the Bahia Resort Hotel Monday as the third International Flamingo Symposium in more than 40 years gets underway.

The three-day symposium is bringing together those conducting research and conservation efforts on the six flamingo species in the wild and zoo personnel and managers of captive flamingo collections. The first flamingo symposium was held in 1973 and the second in 1998.

This week’s event will feature 35 presentations covering the various aspects of flamingo research, management and conservation, according to event organizers. Today’s agenda includes talks on engaging zoos in species conservation, the threat of soda ash to the birds in Tanzania, and flamingo husbandry techniques.

Other presentations will detail the effects of climate change on the African wetlands; the economic value of flamingos in Mexico’s tourism industry; the evolutionary relationships among flamingos; breeding in captivity; and best practices for packing eggs for transport.

Event organizers said the symposium is being held in part to allow those working with wild flamingo habitats around the world and the international zoo community to develop collaborations.

The symposium’s organizers include the Center for Biodiversity and Conservation at the American Museum of Natural History in New York; Germany’s Weltvogelpark; the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s flamingo Specialist Group and SeaWorld San Diego — which is home to Lesser and Caribbean flamingos.

A closing banquet featuring live entertainment will be held Thursday evening at the Nautilus Pavilion SeaWorld San Diego.