A young flamingo named Frankie has caused a flutter of excitement in Cornwall after escaping from Paradise Park, a popular wildlife sanctuary in Hayle. The bird managed to vault over a wall on Sunday morning, despite staff believing its feathers were clipped enough to prevent flight.
Sanctuary officials have asked residents to keep an eye out for the wayward flamingo, whom they affectionately describe as behaving “like a naughty teenager.”
Flamingo’s Great Escape
Frankie, who hatched on July 1, became the second flamingo ever bred at the park and the first to hatch naturally on a nest and be raised by her parents. Park staff say the young bird’s adventurous streak seems to have taken them by surprise.
“I don’t think she knows what she’s looking for to be honest — she’s just like a naughty teenager,” said Nick Reynolds, owner of Paradise Park.
According to UPI News, Frankie was spotted near Hayle shortly after the escape, sparking a search effort among park workers and local residents.
Reynolds said the sanctuary team is “beside themselves” with worry and eager to bring the bird home safely.
“We had sightings back down in Hayle yesterday,” he told the BBC. “She has been spotted so we are desperate to hear that someone has found her. We need to get her back as soon as possible.”
Concern for Frankie’s Safety
Sanctuary officials are concerned about the dangers posed by foxes and other predators, especially if Frankie wanders too far from safe wetland areas.
“If she’s in water then she’s OK, but up on the land, you know, it’s very worrying for us,” Reynolds said.
Park staff are urging anyone who spots the flamingo to avoid chasing or startling her and instead report sightings directly to Paradise Park.
How the Public Can Help
The wildlife park has asked the community to be vigilant in the Hayle area and to report any flamingo sightings immediately. Residents can assist by:
- Checking local ponds, estuaries, and wetlands near Hayle.
- Contacting Paradise Park directly with details of sightings.
- Avoiding close contact, which could cause the bird to flee further.
Park volunteers continue to search daily, with hopes that Frankie will soon return home to her flock.
“We just want to make sure she’s safe,” Reynolds said. “She’s young, and we never expected she’d fly that far.”
Community Rallies to Bring Frankie Home
As word spreads across Cornwall, locals have begun sharing updates and potential sightings on social media. Many have expressed their hope for Frankie’s safe return and praised the park for its dedicated breeding and conservation work.
Paradise Park remains optimistic that Frankie will soon be found and safely returned to her enclosure.
What are your thoughts on this unusual escape story? Have you ever seen a flamingo in the wild around Cornwall? Share your thoughts and sightings in the comments below.
