Flamingo Lagoon has had a facelift!
Revamped Flamingo Lagoon to inspire visitors to connect with WWT Slimbridge’s charismatic pink birds
Flamingo Lagoon has re-opened for the summer and will allow visitors to delight in the spectacle of large flamingo groups. Flamingos are a well-loved visitor favourite and have been resident here for over 60 years.
Two of Slimbridge’s five species of flamingo—Caribbean and Chilean—can be found at Flamingo Lagoon. Caribbean flamingos have bright coral plumage and unmistakable honking calls, and smaller Chilean flamingos, viewable from the hide, have a paler plumage. The Chileans were the first flamingo species to be brought to Slimbridge by WWT founder, Sir Peter Scott in 1961.
At the heart of the revamped Flamingo Lagoon is the fine dining ‘Lucky Shrimp Cafe’ showcasing menus of delicious flamingo food including Algae broth, Crunch ‘n’ Gulp soup and Summer special shrimpy soup. Luckily for visitors, this food is not for sale and picnickers will be able to learn fascinating flamingo facts whilst enjoying a packed lunch.
Visitors of all ages will be able to practice standing on one leg flamingo-style or see how their height measures up in comparison to nearby Caribbean or Chilean flamingos. They can learn about how flamingos sleep standing on one leg, stomp water to make a mini, shrimp-catching whirlpool and how their food can make their feathers pink.
“We hope that our young visitors will establish an emotional connection to these wetland ambassadors—inspiring new generations to appreciate and learn about conservation of these charismatic birds. Flamingos have been at Slimbridge for over 60 years and are deeply loved by visitors and staff alike. They are intelligent birds who form lifelong bonds and are endlessly captivating to watch and learn from.” - Phoebe Vaughan, Deputy Living Collections Manager – Aviculture.
In addition to the cosmetic changes to Flamingo Lagoon, each habitat underwent an annual improvement of more than 29 tonnes of new silica sand which provides a softer and more comfortable surface for the birds. To make way for this around 10 tonnes of soiled sand was removed; an epic undertaking. Three other flamingo species, the Greater, Lesser and Andean can be viewed by visitors in other areas of the wetland centre.
