In recent years, the flamingo population in Yucatán has been affected by attacks from stray dogs.
This problem, according to biologist David Eduardo Alonzo Parra, manager of the flamingo conservation program in Yucatán at the Pedro and Elena Hernández Foundation, has been present for at least a decade.
Every year, the stray dog population in communities grows exponentially; in Celestún alone, 10 years ago, there were an estimated 5,000 abandoned dogs.
The impact of these attacks has been evident in various locations across the peninsula.
In 2023, a flamingo nesting colony in Celestún was attacked twice by feral dogs, while incidents have also been reported in El Palmar and San Crisanto. Last year, the hunting of 16 adult flamingos was documented.
However, it is noted that these are only the reported cases, so the actual number could be much higher.
One of the areas of greatest concern to specialists is the situation in Sisal, specifically in the Cocodrilo Lagoon, an area near the sheltered harbor where young flamingos often take refuge.
As a result, at least 16 flamingo deaths have been recorded in 2024 and 2025 due to this hunting activity.
Biologist Alonzo Parra explained that the dogs have developed a technique to hunt flamingos.
TYT Newsroom
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