A severe and potentially toxic algae bloom has transformed the waters of Lake Nakuru National Park into a startling crimson hue, raising alarm among conservationists about the survival of the park’s world-famous flamingo populations. Scientists from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) have identified the culprit as a cyanobacteria, commonly known as blue-green algae, which produces pigments that give the water its dramatic red and orange colours. These algal blooms are fueled by high levels of agricultural runoff—rich in phosphates and nitrates from fertilizers—combined with high temperatures and fluctuating water levels, creating a perfect storm for the bacteria to proliferate uncontrollably in the lake’s saline waters.
The immediate impact on the park’s ecosystem is profound and dangerous. While the algae itself is the primary food source for lesser flamingos, certain species of cyanobacteria can produce potent toxins that are lethal to wildlife. Flamingos and other water birds consuming the toxic algae can suffer from neurological damage and liver failure, leading to mass mortality events. The bloom also depletes oxygen levels in the water as the algae die and decompose, creating dead zones that can suffocate fish and other aquatic life, further disrupting the food chain. The striking visual of the red lake, while dramatic, signals a deeply unbalanced and sick ecosystem, threatening to drive the flamingos away from one of their most critical feeding grounds in the Great Rift Valley.
In response to the crisis, KWS and environmental authorities have launched an urgent monitoring program to test toxin levels and track flamingo health and behaviour. The long-term solution, however, requires addressing the root cause: pollution from the lake’s vast catchment area. Conservationists are calling for stricter regulations on agricultural runoff and investment in improved wastewater treatment from nearby Nakuru town to reduce the nutrient load entering the lake. The recurring algae blooms serve as a stark warning that the health of Lake Nakuru is hanging in the balance, and without concerted action to restore its water quality, the park risks losing the spectacular pink flocks that have made it an icon of Kenyan conservation and a major tourist attraction.