20,000 Pink Flamingos Thrive in Yucatán’s Reserves

Yucatán, Mexico — The beauty of the pink flamingo graces the Natural Protected Areas (ANP) of the Yucatán Peninsula, where this emblematic species has found refuge and ideal conditions for reproduction and development, thanks to conservation efforts led by the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (Conanp).

Marking its 25th anniversary, Conanp emphasizes that visiting these natural sanctuaries offers not only an educational and recreational experience but also the opportunity to witness the tangible results of decades of work in favor of biodiversity. A testament to this success is the recent nesting season of the pink flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber), whose primary colonies are located in the Ría Lagartos and Ría Celestún Biosphere Reserves.

According to the latest Conanp report, the current population in both reserves is estimated at over 20,000 flamingos. This year, the first signs of courtship and nesting were observed in April: on the 16th in Ría Lagartos, with approximately 2,500 individuals, and on the 20th in Ría Celestún, with an estimated concentration of 3,500 specimens.

Favorable ecosystem conditions—particularly the wetlands shared by these protected areas—have led to a notable hatching rate exceeding 40% of incubated eggs, with the first chicks already visible in nesting zones.

Decades of Conservation Efforts

From 1999 to 2024, Conanp and its partners have documented the birth of 154,446 flamingo chicks, of which 7,142 have been banded as part of a monitoring program to track their movements and assess their health. The most recent banding operation took place on August 28, when 297 chicks were marked.

During this activity, health studies were also conducted to detect potential diseases such as Influenza type A and Newcastle, with all samples returning negative results, confirming the population’s good health.

While Ría Lagartos has historically been the primary nesting site, flamingos have adapted their reproductive patterns to other areas due to climatic changes. Occasionally, they have chosen to establish nests in the Ría Celestún Biosphere Reserve or the State Reserve of Ciénegas and Mangroves of the Northern Coast of Yucatán, particularly in the area known as San Crisanto.

A Symbol of Healthy Ecosystems

The pink flamingo, whose distinctive hue comes from its carotenoid-rich diet, stands at an average height of 0.80 to 1.50 meters, with males typically larger than females. Their presence serves not only as a visual attraction for visitors but also as a key bioindicator of the health of coastal wetlands.

In 2025, as Conanp commemorates 25 years of existence, the agency reaffirms its commitment to protecting Mexico’s terrestrial and marine flora and fauna, acknowledging the invaluable collaboration of communities living within protected areas, as well as technical, scientific, and social partners.

"Conservation is not the work of one alone. It is thanks to joint efforts that today we can celebrate hopeful figures like those we see with the pink flamingo," emphasized the federal agency.

Conanp invites the public to visit Natural Protected Areas responsibly, to continue learning and connecting with Mexico’s ecological wealth.