Pretty flamingo - ugly behaviour
I’ve just added some of this text to my old photo of this flamingo from the Adelaide Zoo. Probably everyone knows that a week or so ago, he was bashed in broad daylight by a group of young men, probably stoned and/or high, who must have stepped across the low hedge into his enclosure, and beaten him with something or other, causing damage to his beak and stunning him.
This flamingo is at least 70 years old, he came to our Zoo before anyone really kept proper records. In fact, the keepers don’t even know if it’s a male or a female, but as they say, at this point, who cares? He stands within arm’s reach, just inside his little hedge, and anyone can get up very close, and consequently take photos as good as one’s talent allows!
He was nursed back to some semblance of health, but apparently he’s rather quiet and not eating as much as usual. He’s blind, and lives with another (Chilean) flamingo who’s deaf. They’re called the Grumpy Old Men.
Everyone who has read about this very sad story is wishing him a good recovery – but we would have to admit, at his/her advanced age, the prognosis is probably not good.
I feel as though an elderly friend of mine has been bashed in a safe and secure nursing home – it has taken away some of my baseline trust about how people normally (and should) act.
Barb Leopold
Am with you 100 per cent on this Denzil, these flamingos are absolute icons at our zoo. I have always thought that the little hedge is ineffective as protection for them, and have seen children getting too close to them…. and now a tragedy has occurred. But I did hear today that the old man flamingo has indeed put on a bit of weight (something like 200 grams) so must be feeling a little better. It is incredible that he survived, given his age and the imbalance of the numbers against him…..
Unfortunately I don’t have any great pix of the two birds, even though there is unimpeded access to photograph them. All the more reason to get back there and take some more pix soon, as who knows what the future holds…..
Denzil replied
Thanks everyone, for your comments and engagement in the topic … I understand that as no flamingos have been caught and placed in zoos in ever such a long time, this bird has immense monetary value (even though no-one could or would sell him). As a result, it is possible that these young louts will get more than a smack on the wrist, and will be charged with a major crime. Whether they receive a satisfactory punishment, of course, depends on how clever their lawyers are.
lightsmith
I despair of such people. Humanities potential for good is constantly brought down by it’s propensity for evil. We don’t need a Satan. We don’t need a Devil. These are just excuses for the Human need to evade responsibility for their own sickenning and horrific tendencies.
All too often lately, I am ashamed of my race. i.e. the Human race.
Denzil replied
Thanks for commenting. I’ve written a reply to Barb’s comment… update of a sort.
Leeo
I hadn’t heard Denzil. The poor thing, if he’s blind he wouldn’t have seen it coming & not known what was happening to him…How can people do something like this to something so beautiful & defenceless…I can only hope that he’s not suffering to much & that Karma comes back tenfold to those who did this…
Denzil replied
Hard to imagine how this would seem like a good idea to anyone really – but who can tell what they were thinking.
Lance Leopold
To think this wonderful bird has lived for nearly 80yrs,giving pleasure to all who visited the zoo,then to be beaten by subhuman morons,is a shocking thing,and i wonder what punishment they will get for their acts,probably a slap on the wrist.
Denzil replied
See my reply to Barb, for speculation about punishment. We can hope!
KathyT
Very sad indeed. I couldn’t believe it when I read about it – that someone would do that! I hope they caught the people who did it and give them an appropriate punishment.
He is loved by so many zoo goers and always looks like he is posing for the photos.
Let’s hope he makes a full recovery.
My most recent pic of him http://www.pbase.com/ketpics/image/97503056
Denzil replied
Yes, I was astonished when I first saw him, couldn’t believe that he really did just stand there, posing for all he was worth. Such an easy target …
Rachel Leopold
This story in particular has truly shocked me and my partner James. I find it hard enough to tolerate any harm towards animals (including unintentional deaths of our native and non native species) , let alone unbridled and unashamed violence. I heard that the zoo is calling for community service at the zoo as part of a learning process for the idiots that did this. All I can say is that I would not leave them alone with any animal, big or small, in my house! Throw em to the sharks…...
Denzil replied
I agree – somehow I don’t think community service at the zoo isa really clever idea! Apparently they had been chucking rocks at other animals before they bashed the flamingo. Nice lads, no doubt, all had a deprived childhood or some such rubbish. Half an hour with the tiger might sort them out!
lightsmith
I think community service at the zoo is an excellent idea. They have poisonous reptiles there don’t they? And elephant sh*t? And example cages from the old days where people can sometimes get accidentally locked in overnight….......
Personally, I think electro-shock therapy might help with their illness…..
Rachel Leopold
Great idea lightsmith! I never thought of the zoo as a potential punishment! :-)