2025 Edition

A group of illegally held Caribbean flamingos (Phoenicopterus ruber) swim in the pool of an Airbnb in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. The property where this image was taken can be rented out as a video and photo location with the flamingos used as props in the pool. This photo reproduces the promotional image the property owners use on their website and social media, boasting a list of previous clients that include Hollywood celebrities and major magazines. The flamingos were kept in a large corral without access to a clear body of water so when given the opportunity, they immediately rushed to the pool to bathe. They were being fed cat food in large buckets with fermented remnants of food from previous days. Their wing feathers were clipped and they were allowed to bathe in the chlorinated pool on a regular basis. These are all infractions that constitute animal abuse. This image and others, along with my report following this visit, resulted in the confiscation of the animals from the property owner. Legal proceedings against the owner are still pending. The animals were rehabilitated and rewilded as part of an ongoing project called Rescate Rosado started by a group of environmentalists and myself.

24-70 mm f/2.8 Lens - 1/30 sec at f/10 ISO 4000