BBC News | EUROPE | El Nino brings flamingos home

The El Nino weather phenomenon has played havoc with rainfall patterns around the world. But in Kenya's Rift Valley, the floods have brought much-needed water to the lakes, benefiting many creatures, including flamingos.

Lake Nakuru in the Rift Valley has long been home to the rare flamingos that feed on the algae in the water. In recent years the birds have deserted the lake, some say because of drought.

Dr Evans Mwangi says El Nino has been good for Kenyan lakes
But last year El Nino brought heavy rains in the area, and with water levels restored in Lake Nakuru, the flamingos returned home.

"With El Nino the level of water in Nakuru has rise from the previous level. That was good for the lake. Now flamingos have come back. It is possible for the biological circle to restore itself," says Dr Evans Mwangi from the Kenya Wildlife Society.

It is not just flamingos that have benefited. The floods brought about by El Nino have reduced drought througout Kenya's safari parks.

Monkey climbing in a tree
Monkeys have also benefited
Gazelles are feeding on the lush vegetarion and it has been good news for monkeys and rhinos, too.

And what is good for the animals is good for Kenya's tourist trade. Flamingos alone are thought to bring in about $30m a year from tourists keen to glimpse the birds in their natural habitat.


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