Affectionately dubbed “Pink Floyd,” Flamingo No. 492 escaped from a zoo in Kansas in 2005 and has been on the run ever since.
Texas Parks and Wildlife DepartmentThe flamingo known as No . 492 was appropriate on video by sportfishing guide David Foreman on March 10 .
In 2005 , two flamingos flap their wings on a stormy dark and escaped from the Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita , Kansas . Despite the bands on their leg identifying them as No . 492 and 347 , the African boo were now free and gone with the wind . But one of them was just distinguish in Port Lavaca , Texas .
According to theAssociated Press , David Foreman filmed the razzing traipsing around Rhodes Point in Cox Bay on March 10 . The machinist and fishing scout was baffled , as flamingo do n’t exist in the local wilderness .
Texas Parks and Wildlife DepartmentThe flamingo known as No. 492 was captured on video by fishing guide David Foreman on March 10.
“ My psyche was telling me , ‘ No mode you ’re search at a flamingo , ’ but my eyes were order me , ‘ That ’s what it is , there ’s no mistaking it , ' ” recalled Foreman . “ It ’s almost like nature ’s way of putting me in my place . Mr. Knows - Everything thinks there ’s no flamingos in Texas ? Have a looking at this . ”
Foreman mail his video to the Coastal Fisheries Division of Texas Parks and Wildlife , which name the flamingo ’s leg lot and confirm the hiss as the runaway from Kansas , who has dear been dubbed “ Pink Floyd . ”
Texas Parks and Wildlife DepartmentThe bird had antecedently pal up around with a Caribbean flamingo that was blown north during a tropic tempest in 2006 .
Texas Parks and Wildlife DepartmentThe bird had previously palled around with a Caribbean flamingo that was blown north during a tropical storm in 2006.
According toThe New York Times , the razz was captured in the Tanzania wilderness in 2000 . In 2003 , wildlife officials transported it with 39 others to Wichita , where it per annum had its wings clipped to keep it grounded . However , when the zoo forgot to do so in June 2005 , the boo take off from its inclosure .
Zoo functionary tried for a calendar week to retake it . But after another violent storm the dark before the Fourth of July , No . 492 finally headed out of the metropolis for good — on Independence Day .
While Flamingo No . 492 and 347 escaped before they had their fender clipped , that process is painless . As curator of the snort at the Sedgwick County Zoo , Scott Newland aver it felt “ no dissimilar than you or I gravel a haircut , ” according toThe New York Times . The process must be repeated each year to prevent the birds from turn new ones .
Sedgwick County Zoo/FacebookThe flamingo exhibit at the Sedgwick County Zoo.
Newland himself was present when the quite a little of 40 flamingos arrived in 2003 . Newland believe that most of them were three class old at the time , with officials gauge that No . 492 is currently around 20 .
While fellow escapist No . 347 followed suit , the two birds fatefully diverged . No . 347 take flight compass north and was never seen again , with officials somewhat positive that it succumb to the constituent . No . 492 , however , is not only visibly thriving in the warm temperatures of Texas — but has been previously spot with a friend .
Sedgwick County Zoo / FacebookThe flamingo exhibit at the Sedgwick County Zoo .
Texas Parks and Wildlife DepartmentFortunately for No. 492, there are no plans to recapture it.
Texas Parks and Wildlife social medium medical specialist Julie Hagen confirm that No . 492 was spotted around Cox Bay during the same clip of class once or twice before . It has not only relished in the piquant and shallow wetland of the region but has bandied about with a Caribbean flamingo blown northerly during a tropic violent storm in 2006 .
“ Even though they ’re two dissimilar species , they are enough likewise that they would have been more than happy to see each other , ” said Newland . “ They ’re two solitary birds in sort of a foreign habitat . They ’re not supposed to be there , so they have detain together because there ’s a bond . ”
Unfortunately for Foreman , he did n’t get the hazard to see No . 492 with its Caribbean familiar . The tropical flamingo has n’t been see since 2013 and has possibly migrated for greener pasture . After all , flamingos have a life of more than 40 eld — and are far more resourceful than they might appear .
“ It can move down into Mexico . It can move back up here , ” Ric Urban , the Curator of Birds at the Houston Zoo told Houston’sKHOU . “ They might look a piffling uneasy getting off the soil , but they can journey 35 miles an minute . And travel over 350 nautical mile . ”
Texas Parks and Wildlife DepartmentFortunately for No . 492 , there are no plans to recapture it .
fit in to KHOU , officials have stated that there are no architectural plan to recapture it , as this would only disturb other wildlife . And while the flamingo has to keep a watchful eye on predatory animal like bobcats and foxes , it ’s entirely safe from hunters — since flamingo are n’t game doll .
Foreman ’s sighting earlier this calendar month was certainly one to behold . He had no idea how adventuresome No . 492 ’s living was when he posted his captured footage on societal media . Indeed , he was just shock to have seen a flamingo , at all .
“ A flamingo in South Texas , ” he said . “ Wow . Who would ’ve think . ”
After read about the runaway flamingo spotted in Texas after 17 days , learn aboutthe uncommon “ Blue Dragon ” sea slugs that mysteriously keep washing ashore in Texas . Then , read aboutthe pole - terpsichore monkey that attack a child last Halloween .
