Forde on flamingoes: Embrace biodiversity amid climate challenges

In a passionate call for environmental stewardship, Minister of the Environment Adrian Forde urged Barbadians to enhance their awareness and appreciation of biodiversity — as he welcomed a flock of iconic pink flamingos at a nature park on Wednesday.

He emphasised the crucial role of biodiversity in tackling climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution as he opened the flamingo display at Paradise Nature Park, Balls, Christ Church.

He told reporters that initiatives like the flamingo exhibit were critical in helping to foster a deeper understanding among citizens of the importance of biodiversity and environmental protection efforts.

“It allows Barbadians to come and appreciate another species that they would not normally [see here]; it allows the children to understand and appreciate the different species; [and] allows them to appreciate biodiversity,” Forde said. “In order for us to build forward better, we must be able to appreciate all species that work in an ecosystem.”

The environment minister also stressed that Barbadians must continue to be aware of environmental issues and improve personal growth, urging citizens to take greater care of their surroundings.

He said: “When you have an appreciation for nature, you have an appreciation for self. The way we take care of our immediate environment says a lot about you. The way you treat animals speaks a lot about you. To me, [the park] ticks all of the boxes for the full development of self.”

Forde also praised the collaborative effort behind the exhibit, highlighting the government’s commitment to partnering with non-governmental organisations and private entities to enhance biodiversity efforts.

“This is a representation of the partnerships that we often speak about as a government. We must be able to partner with persons—whether they are NGOs or private entities—to improve and realise our biodiversity as a means of resisting the existential threats that we are facing,” Forde said.

Mitchel Hird, Paradise Nature Park’s owner, expressed delight in finally bringing the Caribbean Flamingo Exhibit to reality after eight months of planning, stating: “We’ve worked to try to create a natural environment that would be ideal for the flamingos to live in for the long term.” He added, “We have seven flamingos, probably the brightest species of them all–the Caribbean Flamingo you see here. Very beautiful.”

Hird continued: “One of the more interesting things about them is that they are very long-lived. They can live up to 40 years in the wild, but in captivity, they can live up to 60 years.”