They were released on Wednesday seven copies of pink flamingos in the lagoon Navio Quebrado, located in the Los Flamencos Sanctuary, jurisdiction of National Parks, in the town of Camarones, en Riohacha.

“We are in the company of the first Lady of the Nation, María Clemencia Rodríguez de Santos, in a release of wild species, especially pink flamingos and other birds that are typical of this ecosystem. The species were recovered in an operation against illegal trafficking led by the Regional Autonomous Corporation of Tolima and the National Police. The species were brought for recovery and subsequent release because they are typical of this ecosystem.”, said Environment Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo.

The official explained that these species play an important role in these coastal wetland systems of La Guajira., there the birds were released, that according to the corporation's technicians, They are now ready to be returned to their natural habitat., such as the Los Flamencos Fauna and Flora Sanctuary, an ideal place where thousands of these birds that give their name to this protected area arrive every year..

The director of Corpoguajira, Luis Manuel Medina Toro, The release is part of a joint effort of the National Environmental System (HIS) in the control of trafficking of endangered species. “Here you can see the institutional articulation of the entire SINA in the protection of its species. We have been strengthening our operational control capacity and precisely in this we have been working hand in hand with communities in inclusive programs, where they are monitoring and controlling the trafficking of these species. In the previous year there were 11 captures due to trafficking with these flamingos and we hope to reduce them by strengthening controls.", the director explained.

The flamingos, species that is categorized as vulnerable in the country, They were made available to Corpoguajira in August of last year, after they were seized in an operation to control illegal wildlife trafficking in the department of Tolima. Thanks to the articulated work between the Regional Autonomous Corporation of Tolima, the authorities and Corpoguajira, The birds continued their assessment and rehabilitation process at the Agroecological and Ecotourism Center of Jerez, in the municipality of Dibulla.

This is one more example of how the country has been advancing in the protection of its fauna and flora and at the same time a testimony of how the efforts and actions against illegal trafficking are working in coordination between the National Police, the Autonomous Regional Corporations, Research Institutes, National Natural Parks and the entire National Environmental System.

“I invite all citizens to take care of these ecosystems, no to illegal trafficking of species, "We are in time of peace.", stated the First Lady of the Nation during the liberation day.

In the Navío Quebrado lagoon, within the protected area, flamingos find their natural food, made up of crustaceans and other microscopic organisms. Likewise, depending on the water levels of the lagoon, They move between the two lagoon areas of the Sanctuary, The birds are not territorial and do not usually show aggression among their group, They generally live in brackish water bodies., shallow and estuaries.

Marco Pardo, head of the Los Flamencos Fauna and Flora Sanctuary Protected Area, He took the opportunity to send a message to citizens “to avoid buying these animals and trading with them.”. “These are specimens that will be able to return to their natural habitat and recover completely.”.

The Minister of Environment also invited Colombians to denounce illegal trafficking of species and defend natural heritage: “Peace is in our nature and today we ratify it with the release of these pink flamingos. The call is that we do not remove wild species from their habitat because biodiversity is our greatest natural wealth.”.