One of two flamingos that escaped from a Kansas zoo during a storm 17 years ago has been found alive on the Texas coast after an activist spotted an ID tag on a bird
- A flamingo named No. 492 was spotted on March 10 on a pier near Rhodes Point in Cox Bay, Texas, near Port Lavaca
- The bird was one of two flamingos that escaped from the Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita, Kansas, during a summer storm in 2005
- No. 492 has been sighted several times in Wisconsin, Louisiana and Texas since his escape, but his companion has not been seen in years
- Although zoo officials have never identified his gender, they believe #492 is approximately 27 years old
- No. 492 and its missing companion were born in Africa before being shipped to Kansas in 2004 along with 39 other flamingos
- Flamingos in the wild have a life expectancy of up to 30 years
A flamingo that escaped from a Kansas zoo during a storm 17 years ago was spotted off the Texas coast earlier this month.
An environmental activist took footage of the African flamingo, identified by the number on its leg band as No. 492, as it walked along a pier near Rhodes Point in Cox Bay, near Port Lavaca, on March 10.
No. 492 and another flamingo escaped from the Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita on a stormy night in June 2005. Staff had not yet clipped the birds’ wings to prevent them from flying, which facilitated their escape.
Wildlife officials claim #492 has been spotted multiple times in Wisconsin, Louisiana and Texas.
A flamingo that escaped from a Kansas zoo during a storm 17 years ago was spotted off the Texas coast earlier this month
No. 492 was brought to the Sedgwick County Zoo in Kansas from Africa in 2004. The bird escaped in June 2005 and has since been sighted in various locations across the United States
Texas Parks and Wildlife’s Coastal Fisheries Division was apparently thrilled with the recent sighting of No. 492.
“Looks like Pink Floyd has returned from the ‘dark side of the moon,'” the organization wrote on Facebook on Friday, sharing the activist’s video footage.
No. 492 runs along the pier that served as a host for various birds.
The flamingo has been spotted interacting with other wild flamingos on numerous occasions, the wildlife agency reported.
Officials said it had been a year or two since the legendary bird was last seen in Texas.
An environmental activist took footage of the African flamingo, identified by the number on its leg band as No. 492, as it walked along a pier near Rhodes Point in Cox Bay, near Port Lavaca, on March 10
Officials said it had been a year or two since the legendary bird was last seen in Texas. Zoo officials have never made plans to recapture #492, despite the numerous sightings, and say there is no easy way to do so without disturbing other wildlife
However, #492 appears to be a returning visitor to the Lavaca Bay area.
In June 2018, a Coastal Fisheries intern took photos of the flamingo soaring through the sky and joining other birds near shore.
“What’s pink and white and likes spending time in Texas? An escaped African flamingo from a Kansas zoo!’ The wildlife organization noted at the time that #492 had lived his “bird life” “since he escaped from the zoo.”
“A treat for avid bird watchers that pops up every few years in Texas,” added Coastal Fisheries.
Zoo officials have never made plans to recapture #492, despite the sightings, and say there’s no easy way to do it without disturbing other wildlife.
In June 2018, a Coastal Fisheries intern took photos of the flamingos socializing with other birds near the coast
The intern also caught the bird soaring through the sky
No. 492 and its missing companion were born in Africa before being shipped to Kansas in 2004 along with 39 other flamingos.
The birds escaped the zoo on June 27, 2005 during an evening storm with high winds, The Wichita Eagle reported.
The pair were spotted together later that summer before they split.
Sedgwick County Zoo officials believe that while No. 492 was traveling to the Gulf Coast, its companion was heading north. The other flamingo has not been seen since August 2005.
The zoo claims No. 492’s sex was never determined because the facility didn’t keep the bird long enough to have a blood test.
However, they estimate the bird to be around 27 years old and 4 to 5 feet in size. Flamingos in the wild have a life expectancy of up to 30 years.
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