Why are scientists in Chile searching for flamingos?

The number of flamingos in the Los Flamencos national reserve in Chile are falling, so scientists are on a mission to find out where they've flapped off to.

Guillermo Cubillos, who is head of conservation and investigations for Chile’s National Zoo, said that the number of flamingos seen this year is much lower than two years ago.

Between 100 and 150 flamingos were seen in the reserve last year, but just 15 to 20 were spotted this year.

To try and protect the flamingos, scientists in Chile are using satellite transmitters to track them down.

Cubillos said that flamingos are sensitive to changes in their environment, so "threats like climate change" could be a reason why flamingos have been leaving.

A team of scientists are now fixing satellite transmitters to flamingos.

The transmitters will help track the flamingos, as well as showing how they interact with their environment, including where they feed and breed.

With this information, the scientists can plan where new conservation sites could be made and different ways conservation could be used to protect flamingos in the area.

Conservation means keeping a species of animal or plant healthy by protecting the environment around them.

If you want to find out more about animals and nature, why not take a look at this week’s Your Planet!