Flamingo Flees Cornwall Zoo for France as Raccoon Invades Gwennap in November 2025

In early November 2025, the county of Cornwall in the United Kingdom experienced two highly unusual animal incidents involving exotic creatures found far outside their natural habitats. One of the most striking events was the successful escape of a four-month-old flamingo named Frankie from Paradise Park wildlife sanctuary, located in Hayle. Despite the park staff having taken preventative measures to limit the bird's flying ability by clipping its primary flight feathers, Frankie nevertheless managed to breach the perimeter and fly away from the institution. This escape underscored the unpredictable nature of captive wildlife, even those subject to standard containment procedures.

Paradise Park, which was established in 1973, is a significant conservation hub, housing over 1,000 birds and animals, including rare species such as red pandas and various parrots. It also plays a crucial role in managing the World Parrot Trust. Following Frankie's disappearance on November 2nd, the young flamingo was astonishingly sighted across the English Channel in Brittany, France, specifically at Plage de Kerrema. This remarkable journey confirmed that the bird possessed the ability to undertake a substantial migration, even with its partial flight restriction. Park Director Nick Reynolds was able to definitively identify the runaway bird based on the distinct lack of feathers on its right wing. Staff members expressed considerable satisfaction that Frankie was exhibiting the robust survival instincts characteristic of wild flamingos.

The prospect of returning Frankie to the UK is fraught with difficulties due to stringent veterinary and logistical protocols currently in place. These challenges are exacerbated by regulations designed to combat avian influenza, which mandate a period of quarantine in a facility within the foreign country before repatriation can be considered. Given the complexity of these requirements, the management team at Paradise Park has shifted its focus. They now express hope that the adventurous flamingo will successfully integrate into the existing colony of Greater Flamingos residing in France and thrive in the wild environment, rather than attempting a complicated retrieval.

Concurrently with the flamingo saga, residents in the village of Gwennap reported the unexpected presence of a raccoon, a mammal naturally indigenous to North America. This sighting necessitated immediate intervention by local authorities. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) in Cornwall swiftly issued guidance to the public on how to safely report the whereabouts of this non-native species, emphasizing the potential ecological risk it poses to the local environment. Thanks to the sharp vigilance of the residents, the raccoon was eventually located within a local greenhouse structure. Representatives from RSPCA Cornwall, accompanied by a veterinarian, arrived promptly to ensure the safe capture and removal of the animal, pending a determination of its future disposition.

These two distinct incidents occurring in Cornwall during the early part of November 2025 serve as a potent reminder of the necessity for rigorous adherence to safety protocols within private zoological facilities, such as Paradise Park. The park itself is deeply committed to conservation efforts, including its long-running 'Operation Chough' project, which began in 1987. Ultimately, these events highlight a dual reality: the inherent resilience and tenacity of wildlife, even when partially restricted, and the ongoing requirement for constant vigilance on the part of both the general public and dedicated conservation organizations to protect local ecosystems from invasive species and manage escapees.