Solid Gold Saturday

Conservation group BirdLife South Africa says that approximately 2000 baby flamingos have been rescued at the Kamfers Dam outside Kimberley.

Kamfers Dam is one of the most important breeding sites of the lesser flamingo species in Southern Africa, says CEO of BirdLife SA Mark Anderson.

But many of the chicks on the dam's purpose-built island have been abandoned by their parents and left to die of dehydration and starvation.

Read: BirdLife SA hatches plan for new colony to help save African Penguin

There's been very little water pumped into the dam by the Sol Plaatjie municipality, because of low rainfall, high temperatures and failing infrastructure.

Anderson says the rescued chicks have been taken to various bird rehabilitation facilities in the province and across the country to receive care.

Kimberly is very dry. They've had about 50ml of rain since last April.. There's been little rain and lots of evaporation.

— Mark Anderson, CEO of BirdLife South Africa

Anderson says conservationist are keeping an eye on the remaining chicks which have been left vulnerable at the dam during a difficult breeding season.

The adults [flamingos] have abandoned the eggs and many of the chicks.

— Mark Anderson, CEO of BirdLife South Africa

He hopes the rescue operation will draw attention to the municipality's malfunctioning sewage works system which cannot sustain the massive flamingo population.

Listen to the discussion on The John Maytham Show:

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