The number of flamingos wintering in Cyprus has plummeted to historic lows, with the Akrotiri Salt Lake recording its lowest count since monitoring began in 1992.
According to a joint press release by BirdLife Cyprus and the Game and Fauna Service, only 30 greater flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus) were recorded at Akrotiri Salt Lake in January 2025, marking a dramatic decline from previous decades when numbers ranged between 2,000 and 5,000, reaching up to 13,000 in exceptional years.
Recent years saw populations between 100 and 250, making the current figure particularly alarming, even compared to the severe drought of 2008.
Nikos Kasinis, Senior Officer at the Game and Fauna Service, warned that the sharp decline signals serious wetland degradation. “Traditionally, the presence of water in the salt lakes was accompanied by the presence of flamingos. This relationship no longer holds, especially at Akrotiri Salt Lake,” he said.
In addition to the flamingo decline, unusual water inflows have been observed on the northern side of the salt lake, showing signs of pollution and eutrophication. Investigations are underway to determine the source of these inflows and their potential impact on the ecosystem, which may have triggered cascading effects on local wildlife.
Experts cite several possible causes for the declining flamingo population, including:
- Development within the watershed, affecting water quality and quantity.
- Changes in the biological composition of the water, such as reduced zooplankton levels.
- Environmental pressures in the Eastern Mediterranean.
- The impacts of climate change.
The joint statement stresses the need for a response from the Cypriot authorities and the British Bases to investigate the causes of the decline, identify pollution sources, and ensure the wetland’s restoration.
Akrotiri Salt Lake is a Ramsar-designated site of international importance due to its role as a key wintering ground for flamingos and other waterbirds.
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