Original Article: https://blog.theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/baby-flamingo/

Many reunion stories on the internet include a human and an animal. Some stories would make you shed a tear or two. As for Elly Albers, it was both heartwarming and surprising to know Baby can still recognize her. Baby is a flamingo who Elly took care of three years ago. Elly manages an NGO in the Netherlands called the Mangrove Info Center. It was established in 2022, and in 2018, Elly opened the Bonaire Wild Bird Rehab.

The organization provides protection and a home for sick, injured birds of the wild. Baby was the first flamingo Elly nurtured and sheltered like her very own daughter. According to Elly, the female flamingo was abandoned by her parents. Since then, she has built a family-like relationship with Baby. She always greets her in the morning and strikes up a conversation. Bit by bit, the baby flamingo got closer to Elly and slowly showed her response.

The two are inseparable as Baby follows her around and sleeps beside her. Like any wild bird, they deserve to be free and fly wherever they want. Elly was prepared to let go of her baby bird and witness the flamingo spread her wings to discover the world.

“A few other flamingos came in, and she took off. Baby was doing her thing. Then she disappeared for a long time. So that was really emotional. But she’s a wild bird. That’s a very nice feeling, and that’s where the rescue started.” Elly heartwarmingly shared.

Helping animals became Elly’s main purpose in life. She took the initiative to build a rehab for birds in Bonaire and built a few kennels to accommodate a lot of them. The rehab reached a point where they provided shelter for 500 birds in three months. As the people of Bonaire started to get aware of the rehab, more birds were brought for shelter. An unexpected reunion happened in the rehab while going through morning routines and breakfast. Elly noticed a flamingo who looked exactly like Baby, and the flamingo recognized her voice, and Baby ran to her.

“They all do have a character. You never expect it. They simply recognize you, so I think that’s really special.” Elly said. “I can do something good, and that’s also a privilege.”

It was indeed a lovely reunion that will definitely touch anyone’s heart. Despite being apart for a long time and living their own lives, the friendship was rekindled instantly. With just one call of a name, Elly and Baby were taken back to their time together. Watch the heartening homecoming of Baby into Elly’s side by clicking the video below.

Also, you can support the Mangrove Info Center and the Bonaire Wild Bird Rehab by tapping the link in their Instagram bio. Visit and donate to support the cause Elly and her colleagues have established through the years.

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Source: The Animal Rescue Site Blog