Detroit Zoo helping rescue 1,800 flamingo chicks in South Africa

(FOX 2) - The Detroit Zoo and other wildlife conservation groups are undergoing a massive rescue effort in South Africa right now. They're racing against the clock to save more than 1,800 abandoned lesser flamingo chicks. 

The nesting grounds in their cape dried up, causing many eggs and hatchlings to be deserted by their parents due to a lack of food. 

This happened at Kamfers  Dam, which is one of only six wetlands in the world where lesser flamingos breed. 

The Detroit Zoo has a team on the ground overseeing dozens of the rescued chicks. They're feeding the birds four to five times a day and monitoring their health. 

You can see video in the video player above from The Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds, another group that's part of the rescue efforts. SANCCOB took in about 500 birds and has been posting video on their Facebook page of the chick's progress. 

One of the videos even shows the chicks with a stuffed flamingo, a "parent figure" donated to the group. 

The Detroit Zoo and other wildlife conservation groups are undergoing a massive rescue effort in South Africa right now.

"These vulnerable flamingo chicks would have died if left in the wild," said Scott Carter, Detroit Zoological Society chief life sciences officer. "The work of DZS animal care staff and others, with their knowledge and experience with flamingos, is invaluable to this rescue. This effort underscores the importance of zoos and aquariums and the work they do to save species around the world."

The team hopes the chicks will be able to re-enter the wild by May.

FOX 2 reported on this story from Southfield, Mich.