Flamingo that escaped Kansas zoo in 2005 spotted on Texas coast

The Coastal Fisheries division of Texas Parks and Wildlife confirmed Tuesday to The Related Press that the African flamingo – generally known as No. 492 due to the quantity on its leg band – was captured on video shot March 10 by an environmental activist close to Port Lavaca, Texas, at Rhodes Level in Cox Bay. Officers have been in a position to make out the chook’s leg band on the video.

In response to a social media submit, the escapee flamingo can be referred to as “Pink Floyd.”

No. 492 and one other flamingo escaped from the Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita on a stormy evening in June 2005. Staff had not but clipped the birds’ wings to forestall them from flying, which facilitated their escape.

Whereas the opposite flamingo was by no means seen once more, No. 492 has been noticed a number of occasions in Wisconsin, Louisiana and Texas, generally with different wild flamingos.

It had been years since its final reported sighting — till this month. It looks as if No. 492 likes Texas. The identical chook was noticed in the identical space alongside the Texas coast 4 years in the past.

Zoo officers have by no means made plans to recapture No. 492, regardless of the sightings, saying there is no such thing as a simple means to take action with out disturbing different wildlife.

Specialists imagine No. 492 is 25 years outdated. Flamingos can stay as much as 50 years.

The escaped flamingos, recognized for his or her distinctive pink feathers and lengthy legs and necks, have been born in Africa then shipped to the Kansas zoo in 2004 with 39 different flamingos.

The Related Press contributed to this report.