Environmental experts are raising concerns about a significant decline in the flamingo population across Cyprus, urging urgent measures to protect vital wetland habitats.
The experts stressed the importance of adopting a nature-respectful approach to conserve Cyprus’s unique avian visitors and control human activities impacting these ecosystems.
Flamingos, known for their seasonal presence, can be observed at various locations in Northern Cyprus, including the open pools of Haspolat Wastewater Treatment Plant, Mağusa Freshwater Lake, Yenişehir (Gülseren) Wetlands, Glapsides, and Silver Beach, enchanting all who see them.
In Southern Cyprus, key spots for flamingos include the Salt Lake in Larnaca and the Akrotiri Wetlands.
“Mid-Winter Waterbird Census data is concerning… action is required”
The North Cyprus Birds and Nature Conservation Association (KUŞKOR) announced findings from the International Mid-Winter Waterbird Census conducted between 17-20 January, revealing an increase in waterbird numbers below average over the past two years. However, a continued decrease in flamingo numbers was also observed.
KUŞKOR reported that flamingo counts have remained at very low levels for three consecutive years, indicating a marked decline in the number of flamingos wintering in Cyprus over the past decade.
Damla Beton, President of KUŞKOR, stated that while 135 flamingos were recorded in 2023, the count fell to 111 in the 2024 census.
Beton highlighted human activities as a primary factor in this decrease, noting that ongoing work at the Haspolat facilities is reducing available habitats for the birds. Additionally, she underscored the significant pressure that climate change is placing on wetland ecosystems.
Simultaneously conducting their own counts in Southern Cyprus, BirdLife Cyprus, in collaboration with the Game and Fauna Department, expressed concern over the historically low number of flamingos wintering at Akrotiri.
The announcement noted that only 30 flamingos were recorded in January 2025, marking the first time a number this low has been noted since 1992, and underscored that this is even worse than during the severe drought period of 2008.
