Greater (flamingo) facts for kids
"Greater" in April 2013
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| Other name(s) | Flamingo One Flamingo 1 |
|---|---|
| Species | Phoenicopterus roseus |
| Sex | Undetermined |
| Hatched | Unknown |
| Died | January 30, 2014 (estimated age 83–95) Adelaide Zoo, Adelaide, Australia |
Greater, also known as Flamingo One, was a very special greater flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus). It lived at the Adelaide Zoo in Adelaide, Australia, and was known for being the oldest greater flamingo in the world. Greater lived for at least 83 years, which is an incredibly long time for a bird!
Greater the Flamingo
A Long Life
Greater arrived at the Adelaide Zoo a very long time ago, sometime between 1919 and 1933. Records aren't perfectly clear, but it came from either Cairo or Hamburg. When it arrived, Greater was already a full-grown adult. Fun fact: no one ever figured out if Greater was a male or female flamingo!
A Brave Recovery
In 2008, Greater faced a tough challenge. The almost blind bird was injured, but with care from the zoo staff, it bravely recovered. This showed how strong and resilient Greater was.
Later Years and Legacy
As Greater got older, like many elderly creatures, it started to show signs of arthritis in April 2013. The zoo staff gave it medicine to help. However, in January 2014, Greater's health got worse. When it passed away, Greater was the only greater flamingo living in captivity in Australia. This is because there are rules against bringing more flamingos into the country.
After Greater's death, its remains were given to the South Australian Museum. The museum wanted to preserve it so people could still see this amazing bird. It took a few years because it was tricky to preserve such an old flamingo. Finally, in 2021, Greater went on display at the museum. You can see it there alongside "Chile," who was the oldest Chilean flamingo on record. Chile had lived with Greater at the Adelaide Zoo for over thirty years, making their display together even more special.
See also
- List of individual birds
