The influencer known as Elisa la Yuca is at the center of a conversation for disturbing a flock of flamingos in Sisal, Hunucmá, Yucatán, which she referred to as a “plague.”
The incident has generated outrage on social media, as environmentalists, environmental protection agencies such as Profepa and Semarnat, and some local governments recommend not only leaving the birds alone but also protecting these migratory birds, which are an endangered species.
Through her social media accounts, the content creator shared a video in which she confesses to ignoring environmental and wildlife protection regulations.
She said that by playing loud music and the sound of motorcycles she and others were using in the area, the birds felt the tranquility of their habitat was disrupted and took flight.
She expressed surprise at the large number of pink birds flying behind her near the Sisal wetlands.
In her eagerness to show off her experience with the flamingos, the young woman has been criticized for disturbing the peace of this species.
“Guys, we’re here, there’s a flock of flamingos, look at that, look at that, how many there are, a ton of flamingos, look at that.
“They say you shouldn’t listen to music around here, the truth is we didn’t know, but look how many flamingos there are.
“They woke up, they woke up when they heard Yeri Mua, and look how many there are, and more keep coming out, like a plague of flamingos, and all the flamingos are leaving. And more and more are coming out, and more and more, they’re beautiful; look at that, we’re enjoying this beautiful view,” the influencer expressed.
The Yucatecan influencer has received various criticisms, not only for referring to the flock as a “flock” and a “plague,” but also for preventing them from staying in the place where they find food.
Fernanda Familiar considered their incursion into the wetland “a true atrocity… just to get attention on social media, they invaded a sensitive natural space and caused stress to the birds.”
Adriana Vallarino Moncada, an expert in aquatic birds, told the newspaper that the massive arrival of flamingos in Sisal this season is due to feeding, but also because they are learning to build nests and court mates.
According to the state government, the Caribbean flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber ruber), known in Mayan as meco, primarily inhabits the northern coast of the Yucatán Peninsula. It is a threatened species listed under NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010.
This web-footed bird is protected by the General Wildlife Law due to the increasing destruction of its habitat, attacks by stray dogs, and collisions with power lines.
Recommendations for observing flamingos in Yucatán
The recommendations for observing flamingos are:
Remain silent and move slowly so as not to disturb them.
Avoid making loud noises such as using car horns or shouting, as this directly disturbs them.
Also, it is advisable not to chase or scare them away because they are very sensitive species.
Do not feed them, as their diet consists of crustaceans and feeding them could be harmful.
Source: yucatan
