MADRID: Flamingos have been forced to raise their babies elsewhere due to a severe drought that has plagued Spain’s famed southern wetlands.
In the province of Malaga, the Fuente de Piedra wetlands were designated as a natural reserve in 1984. But just a small number of adult birds could be observed in the saltwater lagoon on Saturday.
Spain had gotten 28% less rain than anticipated by mid-May, according to authorities.
Since 1961, this spring has been the warmest, and summer temperatures are expected to be high.
According to Andalusia’s Agriculture office, more than 200,000 flamingo chicks have hatched at the lagoon in the past.
Climate change, according to local resident Alberto Gonzalez Sanchez, is to blame.
“It is a shame because of the tourism, people come here for the day,” Mr. Sanchez added.
