MVR 30k – The Price of an Innocent Life?

In the peak of the migratory season for wild birds, the Maldives has been a stopping point for flocks of flamingos, a rare sight in the country. The rich mangroves of the scattered islands have been reported to spot flocks resting after flight. The capturing event has been documented by many islanders and photographers, but it didn’t take too long before the headlines turned disturbing.  
 
Social media posts of a flamingo captured and wings clipped floated around, bringing the authorities to high alert. It was priced at MVR 30,000 – apparently the price for an innocent life. Environment Protection Agency immediately issued a press reminding the public to not commit any such action against migratory birds, and reminded of the punishments eligible on everyone involved in the crime. 
 
Flamingos migrate in flocks, and are very fragile to being captured, hurt, and stressed. The flamingo hurt by and kept in the island of HA. Baarah was seized by Maldives Police, and was found in the unfortunate situation of being unable to continue the migratory journey with the rest of the flock.  
 
EPA arranged for the bird to be rehabilitated in the mangrove of the island of Lh. Maakoa, a protected area. The bird was attended by a voluntary doctor from Atoll Volunteers who provided medical checkups to ensure the bird remained healthy.  
 
However, despite the best efforts in place, EPA has reported that the health of the flamingo has deteriorated in the past week. In the absence of proper wildlife rehabilitation facilities in a country like ours, the standard care needed by the injured flamingo cannot be provided. This, EPA says, is one of the many reasons why the public is urged to not disturb the wildlife, especially migratory animals, that frequent the archipelago.