Save our flamingo

A Save the Flamingo campaign was launched this week by conservationists to protect one of the world's most important lesser flamingo sites. The permanent wetland, Kamfers Dam, in Kimberley is being damaged by raw sewage and property development. Kamfers Dam is the only lesser flamingo breeding site in South Africa. Large parts of the Homevale sewerage works are not functioning, causing a high volume of raw sewage to gush into the dam. Some of the young lesser flamingos have swollen tibio-tarsal joints and lesions on their legs. These abnormalities and their causes are currently being investigated by scientists and veterinary pathologists. One of the aims of the campaign is to encourage the Sol Plaatje Municipality to hand over management of the sewerage works to an independent management entity.