Although the plight of the Lesser Flamingo in South Africa is taking 
place a long way from Maryland, I thought some here might wish to become 
aware of the issues affecting one of only six world-wide breeding site 
of these lovely birds.  The following message was sent to me by a 
birding guide and friend in Cape Town.  If you wish to express your 
concern for these birds, there is a petition to sign and much more info 
at - http://www.savetheflamingo.co.za/petition/ .  When I signed, there 
were fewer than 1000 signatures.

doug bolt
------------------------------------------------------------------------


Dear all

Please see the message below, regarding the only breeding site of Lesser
Flamingo in South Africa and one of only six such sites in the world, that
is under severe threat.  Your voice (or rather e-mail) of protest will be
appreciated.

Best wishes
Mariana

*****************************
Mariana Delport
For birding and botanising in the Northern and Western Cape
Tel: +27 21 919 2282
Fax: +27 86 698 8390
Mobile : +27 82 460 4847
E-mail : 
Web : www.cape-ecotours.co.za
Skype : mariana.delport

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Mark Anderson <>
Date: 25 Jun 2008 11:30
Subject: Urgent: Save the Flamingo Campaign
To: 


Dear bird-watchers, ornithologists, conservationists and other friends
of flamingos,

Your assistance is urgently required.

Kamfers Dam, which is located just north of Kimberley, South Africa,
is under threat from deteriorating water quality due to a badly
managed sewerage works.

This wetland is home to:
- The largest permanent population of Lesser Flamingos in southern Africa.
- The only Lesser Flamingo breeding site in South Africa.
- One of only four Lesser Flamingo breeding sites in Africa, and six
in the world.
- A host of other endemic and threatened waterbirds.

Kamfers Dam is also a South African Natural Heritage Site and an
Important Bird Area.

Despite years of negotiating with the Kimberley's municipality (the
Sol Plaatje Municipality) to improve the quality of water flowing into
Kamfers Dam, the water quality is deteriorating and there are
consequently severe health implications for Kamfers Dam's flamingos
and the people living in neighbouring suburbs. We have now decided to
step up our campaign and we therefore urgently need your assistance in
terms of (a) signing our petition and/or (b) donating funds towards
this important campaign.

PLEASE visit our website (www.savetheflamingo.co.za  ) and contribute
towards the conservation of Kamfers Dam and this important population
of globally "near-threatened" Lesser Flamingos.

PLEASE forward this message to your friends, colleagues and family,
and also post the message on your local e-mail discussion groups.

For those living in southern Africa, there will be a documentary about
Kamfers Dam on M-Net's Carte Blanche at 19h00 on Sunday 29 June 2008.

We are very grateful for your kind assistance.

Yours sincerely
Save the Flamingo Campaign
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