As part of their commitment to contribute positively to environmental conservation, Fundación AXA México, Fundación Pedro y Elena Hernández A.C. (FPEH), and Fundación Elisa Carrillo Cabrera A.C. have launched a project for the protection of the Caribbean flamingo and its habitat. With this alliance, the organizations reaffirm their willingness to contribute decisively to the conservation of Mexico’s natural capital.
This initiative aims to deepen the study of the flamingo and promote greater environmental awareness among the population within the Protected Natural Areas (PNA) located in the Yucatan Peninsula, including the Ría Celestún, Petenes de Campeche and Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserves, as well as the Yum Balam PNA in Quintana Roo. Since 2015, the Pedro y Elena Hernández Foundation, in coordination with CONANP and other relevant actors, has directly carried out the Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber) Monitoring Program in these places.
The Caribbean flamingo is an emblematic species of the coastal regions of the Yucatan Peninsula, Florida, and the Caribbean islands, mainly Cuba. Its importance lies not only in its beauty and tourist appeal – which contribute significantly to generating local economies – but also in its crucial ecological role.
These birds are indicators of the health of wetlands and coastal lagoons, ecosystems that provide essential services such as storm protection and water filtration. Their conservation is essential to preserve these delicate ecosystems, which offer environmental and economic benefits valued at nearly $30 million annually.
Starting in 2024, the foundations will collaborate by carrying out various actions to mitigate the impact of human activities on the reproductive colony of flamingos and their habitat, with a dual purpose: to study the ecological aspects of the birds and to promote environmental education in schools. This initiative seeks to raise awareness among 1,466 students and 63 teachers to improve the survival prospects of the peninsula’s flamingos, estimated at 45 thousand individuals.
Among the specific actions that will be developed for the community, there is the creation of posters alluding to the impacts of feral fauna, the creation of educational materials, teacher training, and workshops for primary school students from coastal communities with influence in the ANP of Yucatan that make up the habitat of flamingos.
On the other hand, the organizations seek to know the trend of the flamingo population to achieve better management and conservation of this species and its habitat. To do this, studies will be carried out to estimate the reproductive success of the species, aerial censuses (with a small plane) to estimate the population, installation of satellite locators in adult flamingos, and the evaluation of priority habitats. With these actions, they seek to promote initiatives that improve the level of protection and conservation of the species, given its vulnerability to climate change, the conversion of natural ecosystems to productive systems (agricultural, livestock, and urban), pollution, overexploitation of populations and the impact of feral species.
In addition, the outstanding dancer Elisa Carrillo – the first Mexican to win the three most important international dance awards: Benois de la Danza, Alma de la Danza, and the St. Petersburg Dance Open Festival – is an ambassador and promoter of this project for the protection of flamenco in Mexico.
TYT Newsroom
