Two more were left to die.  The KOC employees who reported the incident were horrified that the nature preserve, a joint project between KOC and the Public Authority for Agriculture and Fish Resources (PAAFR), had been broken into and turned into a carnage house.

Thanks to the longstanding partnership between KOC and K'S PATH, the latter was able to respond promptly and work with the former to access the birds.  K'S PATH response staff members were on scene within 45 minutes to rescue the surviving birds and to collect and document the dead.

The two living birds were brought directly to the Royal Animal Hospital, which acts as the K'S PATH veterinary medical partner.  Dr. Jill Mullen and her team were ready for the birds when they arrived.  Both birds received a thorough examination including x-rays.  One bird appeared to have escaped injury but instead exhibited the symptoms of severe stress and a condition called capture myopathy.  The second did not fare so well.  One leg was completely broken and there was one injury from a piece of birdshot.

K'S PATH is a non-profit organization that works with all types of animals in Kuwait, from the lowliest forgotten hamster to a Eurasian brown bear and a striped hyena.  One of the many challenges they face as an organization is that they never know what animal is going to be in need next.  They therefore maintain a global network of contacts that can be consulted on short notice.

In the sad case of these two flamingos, a quick text message to a program director at Humane Society International led them to Dr. Robert Aguilar, a veterinarian with the Humane Society of the United States.  Dr. Aguilar is a veteran expert in the field of wildlife rescue and rehabilitation who has worked with flamingos throughout his career.  Based upon his advice, K’S PATH was able to adapt one of their raptor enclosures to accommodate the flamingos by adding a large children’s pool and a household mirror.  The mirror helps the flamingos feel like they are in a flock environment, which can help to reduce stress.  Additionally, all of the raptor perches and feeding stands were wrapped to prevent injury and the entire 10x4 meter enclosure was covered with sheets to prevent stress caused by the sight of people and other animals.

According to Dr. Aguilar, wild flamingos are very difficult to keep in captivity, especially if they are alone or even in pairs.  The mirrors may help, but much more is needed to save a wild flamingo.  K’S PATH appealed to the Kuwait Zoo for help but was told the zoo will only help by taking healthy animals for their collection.  In lieu of any government support, K’S PATH can only act within their own network of staff and supporters.

Sadly, after three days of desperate efforts, the injured bird succumbed to his injuries.

As this time, the surviving bird is finally accepting food, which is a good step.  K’S PATH now faces the challenge of getting him standing again through a regiment of physical therapy and medication.  The odds are great, but the K'S PATH team is committed to making every effort to get this bird well and released back into the wild.   But they must stretch all of their meager assets and hope for a miracle.   Failure will mean that nothing good whatsoever came out of this terrible act of senseless violence.

It also remains to be seen what will be done to prevent future attacks like this one.  Poaching has become an epidemic in Kuwait, and no bird in any location is truly safe.  K’S PATH regularly receives calls and complaints about dead birds, vehicles bristling guns driving around shooting at anything that moves, and every once in a while a desperate plea to save a life.  It is truly the responsibility of everyone to protect our birds before their beauty is gone forever.  Without protection in the form of law enforcement and prosecution, it will continue to fall upon preserve administrators and K’S PATH to do what they can and try to save as many animals as possible.

To find out more about K’S PATH and to make a donation toward this or any of their programs, visit www.kspath.org, call 6700-1622, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or search K’S PATH on Facebook.