A flamingo which escaped a wildlife sanctuary in Cornwall more than a week ago is doing “extremely well” in the wild, keepers have said.
Frankie, the four-month-old female flamingo, managed to escape her enclosure at Paradise Park near Hayle and took flight on Sunday 2 November, despite having her feathers clipped.
Worried keepers from the wildlife sanctuary carried out searches in the wind and rain as soon as they noticed Frankie had gone missing, but those searches were fruitless and fears for Frankie’s health only increased as the day went on.
Frankie spotted in Brittany. Credit: Alice Beddows
David Woolcock, curator at Paradise Park, said staff at the sanctuary were “devastated” after Frankie went missing at around 8am on Saturday.
“We immediately began searching for her”, he said.
Credit: Mickaël Belliot
But all hope was not lost when there was a confirmed sighting of Frankie over the Hayle Estuary and then a day later at the Île Aganton on the north coast of France, 200 miles away.
Those sighting was reported on the French national citizen science portal for nature.
A further photo of Frankie was taken by photographer Mickaël Belliot on 9 November, showing her looking “fit and well” along the coast at Plage de Keremma in Northern France.
Credit: Mickael Belliot
“When the confirmed sighting of her in France came to our attention, we immediately knew it would be unlikely that we would be able to return her to the Park”, David said.
“It was never our intention for Frankie to end up in the wild. There are a number of reports of similar situations where flamingos have lived for many years and thrived, including over European winters, so while we will continue to worry about her it is a position we have to accept.
“We are confident that her movements will be observed and logged in France by the citizen science members and feel relieved to know that she has shown the resilience and skills that will serve her well as a “wild” flamingo. Frankie’s parents and the rest of the flock at Paradise Park continue to do well.”
Photographer Mickaël Belliot says he captured the bird after a woman spotted Frankie with a pair of binoculars.
He said: “I sent it to a couple of friends who just laughed and said it’s not a real photo. I sent other photos, and the next day, when we met, they realised I was serious about it.
“It was very strange. We are used to seeing unfamiliar birds in this area, but not as unfamiliar as this one.
“I feel like I know her a little bit now. I have been a witness to her adventure.”
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