Andean Highland Flamingo - SAFE Species Program Three-Year Plan (2021-2023)

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Andean Highland Flamingo - SAFE Species Program Three-Year Plan (2021-2023)
Andean Highland Flamingo
    SAFE Species Program
             Three-Year Plan
               (2021-2023)
                    9 March 2021

                  Program Leaders
    Daniel Hilliard, Ph.D. and Sue Tygielski, Ph.D.
Andean Highland Flamingo - SAFE Species Program Three-Year Plan (2021-2023)
Table of Contents

Program Description
Background……………………………………………………………………………………….                              3
Program Goal……………………………………………………………………………………..                            4
Program Operational Structure…………………………………………………………………                    5
Conservation Targets……………………………………………………………………………                         6
Status of Taxa within AZA Community………………………………………………………...               6
AZA Conservation Activities…………………………………………………………………….                    7
 Andean Highland Flamingos Conservation Monitoring Program…………………………      8
AZA Public Awareness and Engagement Activities………………………………………….           9

Species Status
Conservation Status……………………………………………………………………………..                       10
Recovery Plan or Conservation Plan in Effect………………………………………………..         11
Threats…………………………………………………………………………………………….                              12

Work Plan Objectives
Conservation Objectives………………………………………………………………………..                     13
Public / Stakeholder Objectives………………………………………………………………...               14
Communications/Public Awareness Objectives………………………………………………             15
Funding Objectives………………………………………………………………………………                         16

Program Summary Tables
Tables……………………………………………………………………………………………..                            17-20

References
References………………………………………………………………………………………..                          21-24

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Andean Highland Flamingo - SAFE Species Program Three-Year Plan (2021-2023)
Background
Their colorful plumage, gregarious behaviors, and flamboyant displays make flamingos crowd
favorites at zoological facilities throughout the world. Chilean flamingos, one of three flamingo
species native to South America’s Andean highlands, are featured prominently at more than
sixty AZA accredited zoos and aquariums, and oftentimes used as awareness and ambassador
animals. Their recognizable likenesses are also used to generate sales at gift stores and
promote special events, celebrations, and environmental awareness days.

In the wild, Andean (Phoenicoparrus andinus), Chilean (Phoenicoparrus chilensis), and Puna
(James’s) flamingos (Phoenicoparrus jamesi) have experienced dramatic population declines
throughout much of their geographic range, particularly in the Andean highlands of northern
Chile. There, these three flamingo species cohabitate in flocks that concentrate in and around
brackish, alkaline wetlands known as salars, where they feed on red algae and other
microscopic organisms. The unique habitats provide important feeding, breeding, and nesting
grounds for the birds and are critical to their survival. However, human activities such as mining
and unregulated tourism have increasingly disturbed the salars upon which the three sympatric
species of flamingo depend. Due to declining population numbers since the mid-1980s, Andean,
Chilean, and Puna (James’s) flamingos are now categorized as vulnerable by Chile’s
environmental authorities, and as vulnerable or near threatened by the International Union for
the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

The Andean Highland Flamingo SAFE species program was created in recognition of the
declining population numbers and ongoing threats to wild Andean, Chilean, and Puna (James’s)
flamingos and their habitat. The program plan draws upon the expertise and resources of AZA
accredited facilities, range country partners, and affiliated interest groups, and its recommended
actions are informed by existing recovery and conservation plans developed by range country
stakeholders, organizations, and government authorities.

Andean Highland Flamingos SAFE invites and welcomes all interested AZA accredited zoos,
aquariums, and certified-related facilities to become program partners.

Chilean flamingo (Zoológico Nacional de Chile, 2018).

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Andean Highland Flamingo - SAFE Species Program Three-Year Plan (2021-2023)
Program Goal
The goal of the Andean Highland Flamingo (AHF) SAFE species program is to ensure
sustainable populations of Andean, Chilean, and Puna (James’s) flamingos throughout their
geographic range in South America. AHF SAFE supports the recovery and conservation of
these three species through research, monitoring, public engagement, targeted training,
community outreach, and education programming.

In the first three-year plan, AHF SAFE focuses on the recovery and conservation of Andean,
Chilean, and Puna (James’s) flamingos in the Andean highlands of northern Chile. Specifically,
the program will help fill research gaps and assist with the identification, prioritization, and
designation of critical flamingo habitat in Chile’s northern Andean highlands. Priority program
activities will be undertaken in support of the Chilean government’s Flamencos Altoandinos en
el Norte de Chile: Estado Actual y Plan de Conservación (CONAF, 2005) and in coordination
with range country authorities and partners.

AHF SAFE recognizes the threats facing Andean, Chilean, and Puna (James’s) flamingos in
other parts of their geographic range and supports the ongoing field research and public
engagement activities of AZA member institutions in these areas. However, AHF SAFE
recommends that any new support for Andean, Chilean, or Puna (James’s) flamingo
conservation be directed toward achieving the priority research, recovery, and conservation
goals outlined in this three-year plan.

AHF SAFE invites all AZA accredited zoological facilities to become program partners and
support the aspirational goal of advancing research and protection of Andean highland
flamingos and their habitat, and creating a recovery and conservation network that connects
zoos and aquariums, range country partners, and flamingo enthusiasts around the world.

Salar de Surire, Chile (Zoológico Nacional de Chile, 2018)

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Andean Highland Flamingo - SAFE Species Program Three-Year Plan (2021-2023)
Program Operational Structure

Affiliation            Representative         Title                   Contact Information

Program Leaders

Zoo Conservation       Daniel Hilliard, PhD   Executive Director      zcog@zcog.org
Outreach Group                                                        (301) 562-0777 ext. 244

Reid Park Zoo          Sue Tygielski, PhD     Director of Zoo         sue.tygielski@reidparkzoo.org
                                              Operations              (520) 827-8186

Program Partners - Steering Committee

Alexandria Zoo         Lisa Laskowski         General Curator         Lisa.laskowski@cityofalex.com
                                                                      (318) 441-6835

Oklahoma City Zoo      Holly Ray              Chilean Flamingo        HRay@okczoo.org
                                              SSP Coordinator         (405) 425-0276

Dallas Zoo             Harrison Edell         Chief Mission Officer   harrison.edell@dallaszoo.com
                                              TAG Chair               (469) 554-7201

Dickerson Park Zoo     Mike Crocker           Zoo Director            mcrocker@springfieldmo.gov
                                                                      (417) 833-1570

Greenville Zoo         Nick Kapustin          Veterinarian            nkapustin@greenvillesc.gov
                                                                      (864) 467-5748

Program Advisors

Zoologico Nacional     Guillermo Cubillos     Director of             gcubillos@parquemet.cl
de Chile               Torres                 Conservation Science

IUCN Flamingo          Paul Rose              Co-Chair, Flamingo      P.Rose@exeter.ac.uk
Specialist Group                              Specialist Group

Reid Park Zoo          Jennifer Stoddard      Education Supervisor    jennifers@reidparkzoo.org
                                                                      (520) 837-8200

Greenville Zoo         Lynn Watkins           Education Curator       lwatkins@greenvillesc.gov
                                                                      (864) 467-4850

Oklahoma City Zoo      Candice Rennels        Director of             Crennels@okczoo.org
and Botanical Garden                          Public Relations        (405) 412-6172

AZA Wildlife Conservation Committee (WCC) Liaison

Oklahoma City Zoo      Kevin Drees            Director of             KDrees@okczoo.org
and Botanical Garden                          Animal Collections      (405) 425-0604

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Andean Highland Flamingo - SAFE Species Program Three-Year Plan (2021-2023)
Conservation Targets
The Andean Highland Flamingo SAFE species program focuses on the recovery and
conservation of three flamingo species (Phoenicopteridae) found in South America: the Andean
Flamingo (Phoenicoparrus andinus), Chilean Flamingo (Phoenicopterus chilensis), and Puna
(James’s) Flamingo (Phoenicoparrus jamesi) throughout their range. The objectives for the
2021-2023 program plan focus specifically on populations found in the Andean highlands of
northern Chile, due to their dramatic population declines, strong support of the national
government for recovery, and the important role that salar habitat found in the area plays for all
three species.

Status of Taxon Within the AZA Community
Chilean flamingos are managed under an AZA Species Survival Plan (SSP). A draft of the
SSP’s most recent Population Analysis & Breeding and Transfer Plan lists 1,776 birds
(837.769.170) held at 57 AZA member institutions1 (See Table 1). Neither Andean nor Puna
(James’s) flamingos are currently managed at AZA zoos, aquariums, or certfied-related
facilities.

The Ciconiiformes, Phoenicopteriformes, and Pelecaniformes Taxon Advisory Group (TAG)
oversees the Chilean flamingo SSP and in its Regional Collection Plan (AZA, 2020) set a target
population size of 1,950 birds for the program. Under AZA’s current sustainability designations,
the Chilean flamingo SSP qualifies as a “Green” program. Program leaders of the Chilean
flamingo SSP and Ciconiiformes, Phoenicopteriformes, and Pelecaniformes TAG participate on
the Andean Highland Flamingo SAFE Steering Committee.

Table 1: AZA Facilities Holding Chilean Flamingos
Africam Safari Park            Greenville Zoo                                                    Phoenix Zoo
Akron Zoological Park          Henry Vilas Zoo                                                   Reid Park Zoo
Alexandria Zoological Park     Houston Zoo                                                       Roger Williams Park Zoo
Blank Park Zoo                 Idaho Falls Zoo at Tautphaus                                      Rolling Hills Zoo
                               Park
Brevard Zoo                    Indianapolis Zoological Society                                   Rosamond Gifford Zoo
Bronx Zoo                      John Ball Zoo                                                     San Antonio Zoological Society
Busch Gardens—Tampa            Kansas City Zoo                                                   San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Caldwell Zoo                   Lee Richardson Zoo                                                San Francisco Zoological
                                                                                                 Gardens
Calgary Zoo                                      Lincoln Park Zoo                                Santa Barbara Zoological
                                                                                                 Gardens
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo                         Little Rock Zoo                                 Scovill Zoo
Como Park Zoo                                    Los Angeles Zoo                                 SeaWorld Orlando

1
    The 27 October 2020 draft cites 55 holding facilities, but lists 57 in the document. Table 1 contains all 57 holding facilities.

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Andean Highland Flamingo - SAFE Species Program Three-Year Plan (2021-2023)
Table 1: AZA Facilities Holding Chilean Flamingos (Cont.)
Denver Zoo                     Louisville Zoological Garden             Sea World San Antonio
Detroit Zoo                    Memphis Zoo                              Sequoia Park Zoo
Dickerson Park Zoo             Milwaukee County Zoological              Tracy Aviary
                               Gardens
Ellen Trout Zoo                Nashville Zoo                            Turtle Back Zoo
Fort Worth Zoo                 North Carolina Zoological Park           Wildlife Safari
Fundación Temaikèn             Oceanografic Valencia                    Woodland Park Zoo
Gladys Porter Zoo              Oklahoma City Zoo and Garden             Zoo Atlanta
Great Plains Zoo & Delbridge   Palm Beach Zoo                           Zoo New England, Franklin
Museum of Natural History                                               Park Zoo

AZA Conservation Activities
Neither the relevant SSP nor TAG have sponsored or supported any collaborative conservation
efforts for Andean highland flamingos; Andean Highland Flamingo SAFE fills the gap. Individual
AZA accredited facilities have supported field research and conservation –related activities for
the three flamingo species for several decades. For 2018 and 2019, AZA’s Annual Report on
Conservation and Science (ARCS) lists a total of $104,000 USD in conservation investments
made by twelve AZA accredited facilities (AZA, 2018 and AZA, 2019; Table 2).

Table 2: AZA Financial Support for Andean Highland Flamingo Conservation (2018-2019)
Year                         # of Reporting Institutions    Investment Amount ($USD)
2018                                             8                                         $ 46,000
2019                                             10                                        $ 58,000
TOTAL                                                                                      $ 104,000

The list of reporting institutions for the period 2018-2019 includes:

   •    Abilene Zoological Gardens                     •   Reid Park Zoo
   •    Alexandria Zoological Park                     •   San Antonio Zoological Society
   •    Denver Zoo                                     •   Smithsonian National Zoological Park
   •    Detroit Zoo                                    •   Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)
   •    Dickerson Park Zoo                             •   Woodland Park Zoo
   •    Fort Worth Zoo                                 •   Zoo Miami Foundation
   •    Nashville Zoo

Projects supported by the above-listed facilities include field research and conservation
awareness efforts in Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile. Additionally, between 2006-2018, eight AZA
facilities reported research projects for Chilean flamingo management, welfare, and care (AZA,
2019). These facilities include, Blank Park Zoo, Brevard Zoo, Dallas Zoo, Elmwood Park Zoo,
Sequioa Park Zoo, Wildlife Safari, Woodland Park Zoo, and Zoo Atlanta (AZA, 2019).

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Andean Highland Flamingo - SAFE Species Program Three-Year Plan (2021-2023)
Andean Highland Flamingos Conservation Monitoring Program

The Andean Highland Flamingos Conservation Monitoring Program is a multi-year research
initiative to document movement patterns and habitat use of Andean, Chilean, and Puna
(James’s) flamingos to identify and designate priority habitat conservation areas for the three
species. In response to declining flamingo population numbers in Chile, the Zoológico Nacional
de Chile, Corporación Nacional Forestal (CONAF), and Zoo Conservation Outreach Group
(ZCOG) launched a program in 2007 to document the health and conservation status of
Andean, Chilean, and Puna (James’s) flamingos. In 2017, the program expanded to include the
first long-term satellite monitoring of flamingos in Chile. Building on preliminary results, the
program is increasing its sample size of monitored birds to better document specific feeding,
breeding, nesting, and resting locations, and prioritize for protection those habitat areas that
might serve as biological corridors favoring genetic connectivity.

Since 2003, ZCOG, an AZA Conservation Partner and founding member of Andean Highland
Flamingo SAFE, has conducted fundraising, grant-writing, and financial management for the
Andean Highland Flamingos Conservation Monitoring Program. For the period 2003-2019, the
group reports contributions from 15 AZA accredited zoological facilities and investments of over
$50,000 USD in support of flamingo research and conservation efforts in Chile.

In early 2020, ZCOG and a Chilean video production team finalized work on an edited, English-
language video about Andean highland flamingo conservation monitoring efforts in northern
Chile. The video will be made available for use in Andean Highland Flamingo SAFE education,
communication, public awareness, and fundraising activities.

Release of GPS tagged James’s flamingo in Salar de Surire, Chile. (Zoológico Nacional de Chile, 2018).

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Andean Highland Flamingo - SAFE Species Program Three-Year Plan (2021-2023)
AZA Public Awareness Activities
The AZA community’s interest in flamingo conservation is evident by its enthusiastic support of
public awareness activities, such as International Flamingo Day and National Pink Flamingo
Day, celebrated annually on April 26th and June 23rd, respectively.

Launched on April 26, 2020, International Flamingo Day is organized by the International Union
for the Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Flamingo Specialist Group (FSG) and designed to
spread awareness about flamingos and their conservation status worldwide. Many AZA member
facilities held special flamingo-themed events on the newly created International Flamingo Day
and promoted the date on their social media, although the exact number that did so is currently
unknown. Andean Highland Flamingos SAFE has set a goal of engaging at least half of Chilean
flamingo SSP holding facilities (i.e., 29 of 57) in International Flamingo Day by 2023.

Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust and IUCN Flamingo Specialist Group (WWT, 2020).

In 2007, Dean Mazzaralla, Mayor of Leominster, Massachussetts, declared National Pink
Flamingo Day to celebrate the pink, plastic lawn flamingo and honor its creator, Don
Featherstone (savetheflamingos.org, 2020). Since then, the day has been used by many AZA
accredited zoos and aquariums to celebrate flamingos and raise awareness and funds for their
conservation. In 2018 and 2019, ZCOG, Audubon Zoo, and the New Orleans restaurant
Flamingo A Go-Go, partnered on a weekend-long Flamingo Fest event to raise awareness and
funds for flamingo conservation and monitoring in Chile.

Flamingo Fest 2019 promotion. (Flamingo A Go-Go, 2019).

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Andean Highland Flamingo - SAFE Species Program Three-Year Plan (2021-2023)
Conservation Status of Taxa
Since the mid-1980s, increased human activities, such as intensive mining and unregulated
tourism, have disturbed the wetland—salar—habitat upon which the Andean, Chilean, and Puna
(James's) flamingos depend for feeding, breeding, and nesting, especially in Chile's northern
Andean highlands. As a result, populations of all three species are considered vulnerable or
near threatened across their geographic range.

According to the Chilean government’s Flamencos Altoandinos en el Norte de Chile: Estado
Actual y Plan de Conservación, the Andean flamingo has the lowest estimated population of the
three species with a population of 40,000 individuals, the Puna (James’s) has an estimated
global population of 120,000 individuals, and Chilean flamingo has an estimated population of
over 200,000 individuals. Andean and Chilean flamingos are also cited as possessing the most
irregular and highest reproduction rates of the three flamingo species, respectively (Rodríguez,
Eduardo (ed.), 2005).

All three Andean highland flamingo species are categorized as vulnerable by Chile's Ministry of
the Environment, and as vulnerable (VU) or near threatened (NT) by the International Union for
the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The three species are also listed under Appendix II of the
Convention on the International Trade of Engendered Species (CITES). Andean flamingos are
protected under the United States (US) Endangered Species Act, but other regulations that
protect some flamingo species, like the Migratory Bird Act for American flamingos, do not apply
to Andean, Chilean, or Puna (James’s) flamingos.

Table 3: Conservation Status of Andean, Chilean, and Puna (James’s) Flamingos
   Common Name               Scientific Name        ESA Status       IUCN Red List Status

Andean flamingo          Phoenicoparrus andinus     Endangered    Vulnerable (VU)

Chilean flamingo         Phoenicopterus chilensis       Not       Near threatened (NT)
                                                     Applicable

Puna (James's)           Phoenicoparrus jamesi          Not       Near threatened (NT)
flamingo                                             Applicable

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Recovery Plan(s)
The Andean Highland Flamingo SAFE three-year program plan implements recommended
recovery and conservation actions contained in the Chilean government’s Flamencos
Altoandinos en el Norte de Chile: Estado Actual y Plan de Conservación.

Published in 2005 by the Corporación Nacional
Forestal (CONAF; National Forest Corporation),
the document is a collaboration of Chilean
governmental and nonprofit entities, international
partners, and national stakeholders, including the
private mining sector, academia, and indigenous
communities. The publication presents a plan for
the recovery and conservation of Andean, Chilean,
and Puna (James’s) flamingos in Chile, based
principally on: strengthening the control of threats
to reproduction in the country’s Andean highland
salars; encouraging research on applied habitat
management; strengthening the integration of
conservation in national and international sectors;
and proactive application of international
agreements to control threats and monitor
populations.

Andean Highland Flamingo SAFE’s three-year program plan assists the Chilean Ministry of the
Environment and CONAF in achieving goals established in their Flamencos Altoandinos en el
Norte de Chile: Estado Actual y Plan de Conservación, specifically with respect to applied
research to inform habitat protection and management and integrating conservation into
business operations in the area (e.g., responsible tourism). To achieve plan goals, Andean
Highland Flamingo SAFE will work in active collaboration with two principal Chilean partners,
CONAF and the Zoológical Nacional de Chile. Representatives from CONAF and the Zoo will
also serve as informal and formal advisors, respectively, to the Andean Highland Flamingos
SAFE species program, and members of their staffs will lead in-country research, community
outreach, and education program efforts, assuring that relevant governing authorities will have
full access to the SAFE program’s research findings.

Andean Highland Flamingos SAFE’s Steering Committee recommends that the AZA community
direct financial support and human resources toward achieving the priority research, recovery,
and conservation goals outlined in Chile’s Flamencos Altoandinos en el Norte de Chile: Estado
Actual y Plan de Conservación and in AHF SAFE’s three-year plan. Committee members and
program partners invite AZA members that have worked in other parts of the three species
geographic range to lend their expertise to this effort to maximize conservation impact..

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Threats
The principal threat to Andean, Chilean, and Puna (James’s) flamingos is the alteration of their
habitat throughout their range in South America. Of particular concern are human impacts to the
brackish, alkaline wetlands known as salars, which are important feeding, breeding, and nesting
grounds for the three sympatric species of flamingos. In the Andean highlands of northern Chile
and neighboring countries, mining and unregulated tourism constitute the principal human
activities that have led to habitat disturbance and flamingo population declines. Climate change
has also been implicated as a major driver of the degradation and loss of flamingo habitat.

Lithium, borax, and heavy metal (e.g., copper) mining in the Andean highlands are major threats
because they disrupt flamingo habitat by reducing water levels and quality. Lithium mining can
be particularly harmful to flamingo habitat because its mineral extraction processes require
significant quantities of water to be pulled out of the brackish salars, with the net result being
less wetland habitat for flamingo feeding, breeding, and nesting.

Unregulated tourism is another threat to Andean highland flamingos and their habitat. In areas
where tourist activities are either uncontrolled or unmonitored, flamingo nesting habitat can be
altered or damaged, and flamingo adults and chicks disturbed or harassed during breeding and
feeding, reducing reproductive productivity.

More recently, climate change has been identified as negatively impacting water levels of the
flamingos’ wetland habitat, resulting in extreme conditions (e.g., flooding, excessive runoff, and
drought) unfavorable for flamingo feeding, breeding, and nesting. Research also suggests that
flamingos travel at night and use these wetland ponds and lakes as navigation tools. As such,
significant changes to habitat may affect the flamingos’ ability to navigate effectively when in
search of food, breeding, or resting locations.

In the 1980s, the extraction of flamingo eggs from their nests for commerical purposes was
considered a threat to Andean, Chilean, and Puna (James’s) flamingos in Chile, as egg
consumption was significant in urban and rural centers of the highland regions of Tarapaca and
Antofagasta (Rodríguez, Eduardo (ed.), 2005). However, as of 2005, Chilean governmental
authorities listed the threat as ‘strongly controlled.’ In Argentina and Bolivia, feather and egg
collection for local consumption continue to be identified as threats.

Salar de Surire, Chile (Zoológico Nacional de Chile, 2018)

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Work Plan Objectives
Work Plan objectives are broken into four categories: conservation, public and stakeholder,
communication and public awareness, and funding. Some objectives will be achieved by two or
more categories working towards the same goal. Objectives are described below and outlined
in table format at the end of this section. Strategic goals are listed with numbers that
correspond to those in the tables on pages 17-20.

Conservation Objectives
Objective 1 is to capture and tag with solar GPS units up to thirty flamingos—ten of each
species—over a three-year period2 (1.1). Each year, up to 10 GPS units will be purchased,
delivered to range country partners, and prepared for deployment. At least two field campaigns
will be held each year, and reseach teams will capture and tag (1.2) as many flamingos as
possible, and collect biological and health data from the birds (1.3).

Objective 2 is to map and analyze movement and habitat use data from the solar GPS units
affixed to individual flamingos. Data from the GPS units will be collected, mapped with open-
source GIS software, and then analyzed by project investigators. Analysis results will be
reported to Chile’s Ministry of the Environment and CONAF to inform the designation and
protection of priority conservation areas for flamingos and support Chile’s Andean highland
flamingo conservation plan (Rodríguez, Eduardo (ed.), 2005). Additional data analysis of
individual bird activity will be undertaken to complement the body of knowledge about the
species’s movement patterns (e.g., flight speeds, distance traveled, duration spent at specific
feeding, breeding, and nesting sites).

Microwave Telemetry solar GPS satellite tags used for flamingo monitoring (Zoológico Nacional de Chile, 2018).

2
    Six (6) Puna (James’s) flamingos were captured in December 2018 and their GPS units are already returning movement data.

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Public and Stakeholder Engagement Objectives
Public and stakeholder engagement efforts (objective 3) will focus on protecting flamingo
feeding, breeding, and nesting sites from human disturbance—goals outlined in Chile’s Andean
Highland Flamingo National Conservation Plan (Rodríguez, Eduardo (ed.), 2005). The target
audiences for these efforts will be Chilean tourism operators, field guides, and international and
national tourists that visit flamingo habitat. Tourism is an important source of revenue for many
local communities, and can benefit wildlife and habitat conservation if done with minimal
disturbance. Training workshops for tour operators and field guides will be developed in
coordination with staff from the Zoológico Nacional de Chile and Servicio Nacional de Turismo
(SENATUR). The workshops will include an overview of highland ecology and conservation,
with an emphasis on flamingo conservation; instruction in non-invasive monitoring and map
reading methods to identify strategic locations for flamingo-safe tourist interactions; and
information on how to best promote wildlife viewing and ecotourism without disturbing or
harming flamingos or their habitat (3.1). A post-workshop tour of flamingo viewing sites in the
Monumento Natural Salar de Suriré will be included to help participants develop guide routes,
practice environmental interpretation techniques, and rehearse educational activities that can be
used during guided tours. Pre and post-training surveys will be conducted prior to and 6 & 12
months after the workshop(s) to gauge changes in guide skills, knowledge, and attitudes.

Action item 3.2 involves the development and installation of interpretive signage to promote
community pride in flamingos and guide responsible tourist activities near flamingo habitat. The
AHF Education Committee, Zoológico Nacional, and SENATUR staff will work with communities
to develop educational and interpretive signage for display at the project site. Signage will
incorporate local language and symbols regarding the sacred nature of the altiplano landscape
and its species, and its impact will be evaluated with guest surveys and visitor observations.

Implementing tour guide training and installing interpretive trail signage for on-site visitors will
help advance the goals of Chile’s flamingo recovery plan by reducing disturbances to flocks and
decreasing human impact on their habitat, particularly in areas where ecotourism occurs.

Nesting Chilean flamingo at Reid Park Zoo (Reid Park Zoo, 2020).

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Communication and Public Awareness Objectives
Andean Highland Flamingo SAFE’s communication and public awareness objectives are to
develop and provide a flamingo conservation messaging toolkit to program partners, promote
consumer behaviors that reduce threats to flamingos, and increase AZA member engagement
in International Flamingo Day.

The Andean Highland Flamingo SAFE Education Committee, staff from the Zoológico Nacional
de Chile, and program partners will work together to develop a communication and public
awareness toolkit. The toolkit’s messaging content will focus on protecting flamingo feeding,
breeding, and nesting habitat from human disturbance (Objective 4). Additionally, the toolkit will
include instructions for effectively communicating threats and solutions, materials for use on
social media, and support for evalutating the impact of conservation messaging activities.

Andean Highland Flamingo SAFE’s Education
Committee will develop metrics to evaluate the
success of its communications activities and
measure the adoption of consumer behaviors
that reduce three key threats. Threats and
solutions will focus on reducing: 1) mining
impacts on flamingo habitat by promoting heavy
metal recycling, lithium recycling, and water
reduction technologies for lithium mining; 2)
human contributions to global climate change
by promoting activities that visitors can do to
decrease personal contributions to this threat;
and 3) demand for illegal egg and feather
harvesting by promoting pride and respect
for the birds.                                      Flamingo Specialist Group, 2020

An additional objective is to increase AZA member participation in International Flamingo Day in
order to increase awareness of and support for flamingo conservation (4.7). Celebrating species
awareness days at AZA accredited zoos, aquariums, and certified-related facilities can help
draw attention to a species and the threats to its survival, promote behaviors that reduce
threats, and raise funds for range country conservation and research activities. Andean
Highland Flamingos SAFE has set a goal of engaging at least half of Chilean flamingo SSP
holding facilities (i.e., 29 of 57 AZA member holding facilities) in International Flamingo Day by
2023. Increased AZA member facility participation in this IUCN –sanctioned day is a way of
building support for flamingo conservation and galvinizing public acion to reduce of eliminate
threats to the species’ long-term survival.

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Funding Objectives
Andean Highland Flamingo SAFE’s main funding objective is to secure sufficient financial
resources to support budgeted program activities over a three-year period (Objective 5). To
secure funding, Andean Highland Flamingo SAFE has established annual contribution levels of
$5,000 USD and $2,500 USD for its Steering Committee and program partners (5.1),
respectively, and set a goal of attracting five new program partners during each year of the
three-year plan. Additionally, the program will promote flamingo-centric fundraising events,
celebrations, and awareness days, like National Pink Flamingo Day, particularly among Chilean
flamingo SSP holding facilities (5.3). Zoo Conservation Outreach Group (ZCOG) will serve as
the holder of Andean Highland Flamingo SAFE’s dedicated fund.

                                                            Greenville Zoo sippin’ safari fundraiser flyer (Greenville Zoo, 2017)

National Pink Flamingo Day flyer (Flamingo A Go-Go, 2018)

               National Pink Flamingo Day celebration in New Orleans, Louisiana (Flamingo A Go-Go, 2019)

                                                                                                                                16
Program Summary Tables: Andean Highland Flamingos SAFE

Conservation Objectives
During its inaugural 3-year program plan, Andean Highland Flamingo SAFE’s main conservation objective will be to support the recovery and
conservation of Andean, Chilean, and Puna (James’s) flamingos in northern Chilean through research and monitoring.

Strategic Objective 1: Capture and tag with solar GPS units up to ten flamingos of each species over a three-year period.

Number     Action                         Metric                                     Year       Year        Year   AZA Members      Field Partners        Budget
                                                                                      1          2           3
1.1        Purchase and deliver           Number of solar GPS tags                     10         10         4     ZCOG, RPZ, and   Zoo Nacional de       $102,000
           solar GPS tags to field        purchased and delivered to field                                         AZA program      Chile
           partners in Chile.             researchers in Chile.                                                    partners
1.2        Conduct capture and            Number of capture and tagging                2          2          2     ZCOG, RPZ, and   Zoo Nacional de            $30,000
           tagging campaigns in           campaigns per year.                                                      AZA program      Chile & CONAF
           Chile.                                                                                                  partners
1.3        Collect biological and         Number of flamingos from which               10         10         4     ZCOG,            Zoo Nacional de               N/A
           health data during             biological and health samples are                                        Greenville Zoo   Chile & CONAF
           capture and tagging.           secured.

Strategic Objective 2: Download, analyze, map, and report flamingo movement and habitat use data.

2.1        Satellite data downloads       Monthly downloading of satellite             12         12         12    N/A              Zoo Nacional de            $95,000
           and mapping.                   data and movement & habitat use                                                           Chile
                                          mapping.
2.2        Data analysis, mapping,        Annual reporting of data and                 1          1          1     ZCOG             Zoo Nacional de             $3,000
           and reporting to CONAF.        mapping to Chilean environmental                                                          Chile
                                          authorities.
2.3        Annual conservation            Annual conservation activities report        1          1          1     ZCOG             Zoo Nacional de               N/A
           report to Steering             to Andean Highland Flamingos                                                              Chile
           Committee.                     SAFE Steering Committee.
2.4        3-year report to CONAF         Report of 3-year data analysis,                                    1     ZCOG             Zoo Nacional de               N/A
                                          mapping, and priority conservation                                                        Chile
                                          areas to CONAF.
KEY:
AZA       Association of Zoos & Aquariums                  RPZ               Reid Park Zoo                          ZCOG     Zoo Conservation Outreach Group
CONAF     Corporación Nacional Forestal de Chile           SENATUR           Servicio Nacional de Turismo

                                                                                                                                                                   17
Public and Stakeholder Engagement Objectives
Andean Highland Flamingo SAFE’s public and stakeholder engagement objective is to help protect flamingo feeding, breeding, and nesting habitat
from human disturbance.

Strategic Objective 3: Protect flamingo feeding, breeding, and nesting sites through public and stakeholder engagement actions.

Number       Action                        Metric                                    Year         Year      Year   AZA Members        Field Partners         Budget
                                                                                      1            2         3
3.1.1        Identify tourist              Number of companies, operators              1           1               ZCOG, RPZ          Zoo Nacional de              N/A
             companies, operators,         and guides identified for training.                                                        Chile & SENATUR
             and guides for training.
3.1.2        Develop flamingo SAFE         Number of course(s) successfully            1           1               ZCOG, RPZ          Zoo Nacional de              N/A
             tourist operator and guide    developed.                                                                                 Chile & SENATUR
             training course.
                                                                                                                                                                       1
3.1.3        Conduct flamingo SAFE         Number of courses held and                              2         2     ZCOG, RPZ          Zoo Nacional de        $15,000
             tourist operator and guide    number of participants trained.                                                            Chile & SENATUR
             training course.
3.1.4        Evaluate flamingo SAFE        Evaluation of course impact to take                     1         1     ZCOG, RPZ          Zoo Nacional de            $2,500
             tourist operator and guide    place 6 and 12 months after each                                                           Chile & SENATUR
             training course.              course.
3.2.1        Design and install            Number of signs developed and               5           5               ZCOG, RPZ,         Zoo Nacional de            $5,000
             interpretive signage to       installed on park trails in                                             Education          Chile, CONAF &
             promote community pride       coordination with local community                                       Committee          local communities
             in flamingos and guide        groups, park authorities, and range
             responsible tourist           country partners.
             activities near flamingo
             habitat.
3.2.2        Develop and conduct           Number of surveys conducted and                         1         1     ZCOG, RPZ,         Zoo Nacional de              N/A
             surveys on the impact of      responses received.                                                     Education          Chile, CONAF &
             interpretive signage in                                                                               Committee          local communities
             parks with flamingo
             habitat.
KEY:
AZA        Association of Zoos & Aquariums                   RPZ             Reid Park Zoo                          ZCOG       Zoo Conservation Outreach Group
CONAF      Corporación Nacional Forestal de Chile            SENATUR         Servicio Nacional de Turismo

N/A = not applicable or budget figure not currently available.

Footnotes:
1
  Includes budget for developing tourist operator training course and identifying participants.

                                                                                                                                                                    18
Communication and Public Awareness Objective(s)
Andean Highland Flamingo SAFE’s 3-year communication and public awareness objective is to promote messaging and behaviors that support
the protection of flamingo feeding, breeding and nesting habitat in northern Chile. Principal actions in support of the objective will be to develop
and deliver a flamingo conservation messaging toolkit to program partners, promote consumer behaviors that reduce threats to flamingos and their
habitat, and increase AZA member engagement in International Flamingo Day.

Strategic Objective 4: Protect flamingo feeding, breeding, and nesting habitat through communication and public awareness actions.

Number      Action                        Metric                                   Year      Year      Year      AZA Members          Field Partners    Budget
                                                                                    1         2         3
4.1         Develop and provide pilot     Toolkit developed and offered to          1          1                 Education            Zoo Nacional de   $500
            toolkit materials for heavy   program partners.                                                      Committee            Chile
            metal and lithium mining
            messaging.
4.2         Develop and provide           Toolkit developed and offered to          1          1                 Education            Zoo Nacional de   $500
            toolkit focused on            program partners.                                                      Committee            Chile
            reducing human activities
            that contribute to global
            climate change.
4.3         Develop and provide pilot     Toolkit developed and offered to                     1         1       Education            Zoo Nacional de
            toolkit focused on            program partners.                                                      Committee            Chile
            eliminating commercial
            use of flamingo eggs and
            feathers and combatting
            wildlife trafficking.
4.4         Develop and provide pilot     Toolkit developed and offered to                     1         1       Education            Zoo Nacional de   $500
            toolkit materials focused     program partners.                                                      Committee            Chile
            on responsible tourism.
4.5         Develop and provide           Number of program partners and            1          1         1       Education            Zoo Nacional de
            toolkit materials for         AZA accredited facilities that                                         Committee            Chile
            International Flamingo        promote and hold celebrations for
            Day activities.               International Flamingo Day
4.6         Evaluate toolkit materials.   Ongoing evaluation of materials by        1          1         1       Program partners     Zoo Nacional de
                                          Education Committee and partners.                                                           Chile
4.7         Promote AZA member            Engage at least half of Chilean           9         10         10      Program partners     Zoo Nacional de
            facility involvement in       flamingo SSP holding facilities (i.e.,                                                      Chile
            International Flamingo        29 of 57 AZA member facilities) in
            Day                           International Flamingo Day by 2023.
KEY:
Education Committee      Andean Highland Flamingo SAFE Education Committee (Grenville Zoo, Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden, Reid Park Zoo)

                                                                                                                                                               19
Funding Objectives
Andean Highland Flamingo SAFE’s main funding objective is to secure sufficient financial resources to support budgeted program activities over a
three-year period.

Strategic Objective 5: Secure sufficient financial resources to support budgeted program activities.

Number      Action                        Metric                                   Year       Year        Year   AZA Members           Field Partners       Budget
                                                                                    1          2           3
5.1         Establish and maintain        The Andean Highland Flamingo               X          X          X     Steering                                        N/A
            annual contribution levels    SAFE Steering Committee is                                             Committee
            for Steering Committee        recommending annual contribution
            and program partners.         levels of $5,000 USD for Steering
                                          Committee institutions and $2,500
                                          USD per year for program partners.
5.2         Attract 15 new program        The Andean Highland Flamingo               5          5          5     Steering                                        N/A
            partners between 2021-        Steering Committee will work to add                                    Committee and
            2023.                         a total of 15 new program partners                                     program partners
                                          during the 3-year program plan
                                          period. The Committee will focus
                                          efforts on AZA accredited facilities
                                          holding Chilean flamingos in their
                                          animal collections
5.3         Identify the number of        Engage at least half of Chilean            9          10         10    Steering                                        N/A
            AZA accredited facilities     flamingo SSP holding facilities (i.e.,                                 Committee,
            holding annual flamingo-      29 of 57 AZA member facilities) in                                     program
            centric awareness and         National Pink Flamingo Day or other                                    partners, and
            fundraising events; work      flamingo fundraising events or                                         AZA accredited
            with facilities to develop    celebrations by 2023.                                                  zoological
            and promote flamingo-                                                                                facilities,
            centric fundraising                                                                                  specifically
            events, celebrations, and                                                                            Chilean flamingo
            awareness days (e.g.,                                                                                holding facilities.
            National Pink Flamingo
            Day).
KEY:
AZA       Association of Zoos & Aquariums                   RPZ            Reid Park Zoo                          ZCOG         Zoo Conservation Outreach Group
CONAF     Corporación Nacional Forestal de Chile            SENATUR        Servicio Nacional de Turismo

N/A = Fundraising estimates have not been set due to the ongoing economic and donor base impact of the global Covid-19 pandemic. The program will reassess
fundraising estimates after calendar year 2021 and adjust budget figures.

                                                                                                                                                                       20
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