Sanctuaries step in as thousands of flamingo chicks are abandoned by parents

AFRICA (Storyful) - The Kamfers Dam, near Kimberley, in South Africa's Northern Cape, is one of the most important breeding sites for the lesser flamingo. But things have not been going according to plan this year.

Low water levels caused by drought have seen parents abandon nests containing thousands of chicks, which are now in the care of a number of rehabilitation centers.

The Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) took in about 500 birds. It's been posting videos of their progress on its Facebook page, including one showing how the chicks reacted to some donated stuffed toys that resembled adult flamingos.

An update from SANCCOB on February 10 said the chicks were "growing bigger each day," and that some had started to drink by themselves.