The bird was rescued last week after it was found on a beach in Limón, suffering from injuries following a dog attack. Officials from the Ministry of Environment (MINAE) contacted the center after locals spotted the bird lying helplessly on the sand.

“He arrived in very poor condition, weak, extremely thin, and suffering from hypothermia,” the center reported. “Our vet checked for injuries and found minor wounds throughout his body.”

Veterinarians immediately began treatment, administering fluids, vitamins, and antibiotics. The flamingo is now under quarantine with a heat lamp and regular feedings. However, his long-term recovery hinges on one critical factor: specialized nutrition.

While the center is doing its best to replicate a balanced flamingo diet using local ingredients, nothing compares to the Mazuri Flamingo Complete Diet, a scientifically formulated product designed to meet the species’ unique nutritional needs. The center believes access to this food could significantly increase the birds’ chances of survival.

“Adding this to his daily meals would give him a better chance at a full recovery and help us maintain him in optimal condition during his hospital stay,” said a center spokesperson.

Unfortunately, the food is not available in Costa Rica, and the only authorized distributor, Speratum Lab CR in San José, is unable to import it. Direct shipments from the U.S. also present a problem, as the product risks being stuck in Costa Rican customs due to import restrictions.

That’s why the center is urgently seeking travelers from the United States who can help. “We’re looking for anyone visiting Costa Rica soon or passing through San José who could bring a bag down with them,” said the center.

The Mazuri Flamingo Complete Diet can be purchased directly from Mazuri Exotic Animal Nutrition in St. Louis, Missouri, or online through the company’s official website. The food comes in 23-kilogram (50-pound) bags and costs approximately $100.

“If you're traveling to the San José or Limón area, or know someone who is, please reach out,” the center urged. “This small gesture could make a big difference in his recovery.”

Those willing to help may contact the Jaguar Rescue Center directly at +506 2750-0710.

AM Costa Rica joins the Jaguar Rescue Center in urging readers to share this appeal widely, with friends, family, expat communities, and travelers who may be able to help deliver this critical food to Costa Rica.

The bird was first sighted in October 2024 in the Estero Negro wetland in Limón. According to experts, he is likely the first wild flamingo ever documented in Costa Rica.

“The flamingo may have arrived along the Limón coast after being pushed off course by strong winds from hurricanes or cyclones affecting the Caribbean region,” explained Maylin Mora, Regional Director of the Amistad-Caribbean Conservation Area.

Known for their vivid pink plumage and long, slender legs, American flamingos are typically native to the Caribbean, including the West Indies, northern South America, the Galápagos Islands, and Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. The species is also an iconic symbol of the state of Florida in the U.S.

Adult flamingos can stand up to five feet tall and weigh between four and eight pounds. Their specialized bills, which bend downward, are adapted for filter-feeding in shallow saltwater lagoons and brackish lakes. Their diet includes algae, seeds, and aquatic invertebrates such as brine shrimp, mollusks, and fly larvae.

Highly social, flamingos often live in flocks that number in the thousands. This individual, however, remains the only known specimen in the entire country, making his recovery all the more urgent.