The Flamboyance Just Got Bigger

Maple and Pancake, the Greenville Zoo’s first-ever hatched flamingos, have recently joined the rest of the flock in the lagoon.

Born in the fall, the two female flaminglets represent a major milestone for the zoo. For the first time, flamingos in the habitat laid eggs—an important sign of comfort and successful habitat management. To ensure the highest chance of survival, the animal care and veterinary teams carefully moved the eggs into incubators to protect them from natural predators such as snakes.

From there, Maple and Pancake hatched under close supervision and immediately began their journey in the hands of our animal care and veterinary teams. For months, they were hand-raised with round-the-clock care, including feedings of a specially prepared, protein-rich formula designed to replicate the nutrients they would normally receive from their parents. As they grew stronger, they were gradually transitioned onto the same pellet diet the adult flamingos eat.

After several months of preparation and steady growth, the sisters were ready for their next step. This week, Maple and Pancake were introduced into the lagoon to join the flamboyance. At first, they were a bit shy, observing the flock from a distance. But during dinner time, they made their move, stepping in and joining the group and officially becoming part of the flock.

While they’ve settled in well, visitors may notice they’re still a soft grayish-pink. Flamingos are not born pink; their color develops over time based on their diet, and it can take up to two years for them to reach their full vibrant hue. For now, Maple and Pancake are just beginning to show those early hints of pink as they continue to grow.

Next time you visit the Greenville Zoo, stop by the lagoon and see if you can spot them as they continue finding their place in the flamboyance.