We have come across a young injured flamingo along the road in front of our house (on EEG blvd, south of Belnam). We tried STINAPA, but it is Sunday and no one answers. We called the police and they gave us a phone number, didn't say who it was, however it had a 786 exchange and the phone in this house seems to have all the exchanges except 717 blocked (don't know why). Does anyone know who we could call (with a 717) or email about this poor guy?

Here is the number for Chat n Browse. Ask for Micheal and explain your problem.
717-2281

Thanks...Michael wasn't in but was expected back in about 15 minutes...I'll try him then.

No luck....must have missed him. My wife has got the poor guy on the porch and trying to give it some water.....we'll call STINAPA in the AM. Hopefully he'll make it 'til then. Thanks again.

Go to Marlis the sail shop on Kaya Gob Debrot. She can take care of the bird. She is near Playa Leche Residence on the opposite side of the street. If not go to the vet please..call Jan at 717 4255. You will get his machine that has his cell but then you will still need to call a cell. The other vet Fulco has a cell too 790 6001. Since you cannot dial a cell phone I guess going to see Michael will allow you to use his phone.

http://www.marlissailandcanvas.com/contactmarlis.html

Marlis has received the honorary title of the "Birdwoman of Bonaire." This is because any lost or hurt bird is brought to her, and she cares for them until they can be successfully reintroduced to their natural habitat. She has become "mom" to many birds, including boobies, flamingos, and parrots, who otherwise would have perished.

Marlis with her flamingoToday you can visit Marlis and her assistant, Gea, along with her many dogs, cats, and birds any time. Her shop is open Monday through Friday: 8:00 to 12:00 Noon and 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM, Saturdays: 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon. Marlis Sail & Canvas is located at Kaya Gobernador N. Debrot #18, which is located on the east side of the main road between Kralendijk and the traffic circle.

You may also phone or fax her at (59-9) 717-7741, or email marlis@MarlisSailandCanvas.com.

Ann...thanks for the info. We will take the flamingo to Marlis in the AM. I will post how we make out tomorrow.

Hi Richard! I'm a wildlife rehabber here in the States. You might want to try calling Marlis tonight. I have not handled flamingos, but we do work with birds. If it is a bone injury, it has to be set immediately otherwise the bones calcify incorrectly and there could be permanent damage. Also, another issue we deal with is people feeding the wrong "stuff." An injured bird needs the correct nutrition. I have no idea what baby flamingos eat - I want to state that up front. My assumption would be brine. If that is the case, you need to go scoop out some buckets of brine for it for over night. Now here is the real tricky part...not sure if that is legal on Bonaire. So again, I suggest calling Marlis tonight.

I personally want to thank you for picking up the little one. If more people would stop and help animals, it would be a better world.

We rescued one about 15 years ago on the sea--luckily not injured, just exhausted & water-logged. Marlies was n/a that day. We kept it on our fenced-in back patio overnight, & I put a big pan of water a few inches deep, with a few spoonfuls of soft, canned cat food (fish flavored) in it. As soon as I set it standing in the pan, it dunked its head and ate/drank the water/food. The next day we called Cargill (Salt Co) & the director himself took us out into the flamingo sanctuary so we could release it near a flock.

Unfortunately, despite my wife's best efforts, the little guy didn't make it through the night. We did try to call Marlis last night but didn't get an answer. It was too bad that this happened on a late Sunday afternoon, I think any other day we could have got some help. My thanks to everyone for their help.

I for one was hoping for a happier ending, your a good soul Richard.

Patrick

Sorry to hear that Richard. You & your wife are great people. At least the poor little thing didn't die alone on the side of the road somewhere, I'm sure you & your wife were a great source of comfort to him during his final hours. Poor thing.

Thank you so much for trying.

I always found the 'animal loving' reputation of Malis something of a mystery.

My Wife and I took her two dogs, Zulia & Lara into our care when she went away and abandoned them. Anton & Piek from Little Havana had taken them to Jan the vet as Lara had severe tick disease and was near death.

My Wife nursed Lara back to health, she was a pitiful sight, malnourished, and riddled with ticks, fleas & worms. When she lay down, hundreds of ticks walked away from her body, my Wife would sit with her for hours removing ticks and feeding her by hand. We in turn took in Zulia as she missed Lara. Although not quite as bad, she was still in a sorry state. Within a few weeks, they were different dogs, tick free, healthy and happy.

When Marlis eventually returned, we took her dogs to her. Despite having had the dogs for over ten years, she said to us: "You may as well keep them"! There was no word of thanks nor an offer to repay Anton & Piek for the hundreds of Guilders that they had paid in vets fees.

Unfortunately, we were unable to keep the dogs so she took them back. Before too long they were back to their neglected selves. If it wasn't for Anton & Piek who continued to buy them tick collars, feed them and pay for their veterinary treatment, they would have died horrible deaths.

I personally wouldn't leave her in charge of a cockroach.

Why would you take them back to her??? I'm sure there are circumstances I'm not privy to here but those poor animals. Putting them back in that situation just seems like the wrong choice?

e.

Wow Anthony, you're right, a cockroach would deserve better! I have to agree with Eric though, couldn't you have taken them somewhere else? Poor dogs, stuff like this really makes my blood boil :o(

Eric.

Because the dogs had been left to roam the streets for many years, they would not settle. We had them for about six weeks but we could not stop them wandering. If we left them in the house, they destroyed it trying to escape. If we left them outside, they either jumped the fence or dug their way out. It wasn't fair at their age to tie them up.

For years they had wandered from bar to restaurant to bar where kind people fed & watered them. We lived in Lagoen Hill which was miles from town, sooner or later they would have been run over.

The dogs were happy enough with their lives, what they lacked was care. Luckily, good people like Anton & Piek were there for them.

Ok, fair enough. I figured there was some backstory missing there. Thanks for not being completely offended at my question. And God bless you for caring enough to do something about it.

e.

We did not figure on having pets on Bonaire but after Lara & Zulia we had a change of heart.

We got a beautiful Shepherd who is with us now in Scotland. I think that he misses Bonaire too.

Richard, back to the point of your email, you are an animal angel. The lovely bird died surrounded by caring and love. Peace