Mystery threat to pink flamingos

One of the natural world’s most breathtaking sights — the pink and crimson clouds of flamingos that flock over East Africa — is under threat.

Scientists have discovered that birds are dying in their thousands along the Rift Valley lakes of Kenya and Tanzania. However, they are baffled about the reason. Possible causes include avian cholera, botulism, metal pollution, pesticides or poisonous bacteria, say researchers. In addition, fears for the future of the lesser flamingo have also been raised by plans to pipe water from one of their key breeding areas, the shores of Lake Natron. “This could have quite a disastrous effect on water levels, which are critical for successful breeding,” ornithologist Neil Baker, head of the Tanzania Bird Atlas project, said in Science.
Most scientific attention has focused on the environmental changes to the lakes. Water levels have lowered and concentrations of soda in the water have increased. This increases the risk of toxic bacteria growing there, say scientists.
However, researchers say other causes could be involved and have urged an urgent investigation of the deaths, which threaten one of Kenya and Tanzania’s greatest tourist attractions.

Robin McKie