Motorists shocked to spot Flamingo taking a stroll in town centre

Motorists were left stunned after spotting a Flamingo running amok in a town centre after it escaped from a nearby zoo.

Bizarrely, the animal had been blown by a gust of wind and carried outside of its enclosure. Picture: SWNS

The exotic bird - which is usually native to Africa and South America - was filmed causing havoc in the middle of Dudley on Tuesday afternoon (14th April).

Bizarrely, the animal had been blown by a gust of wind and carried outside of its enclosure at Dudley Zoo - before it was seen exploring the local high street.

Kayleigh Pritchard, 27, who was travelling with her partner back from the supermarket captured comical footage of the flamingo crossing the road on Castle Hill.

At one point a cyclist can also be seen casually riding past the flamboyant bird before it carries on trotting along the street and navigating some nearby roadworks.

Kayleigh said she phoned the zoo immediately to report their missing animal following the unusual sighting but they didn't believe her at first.

Thankfully the cheeky bird was eventually captured and safely returned to the rest of the flock.

Mum-of-three Kayleigh, of Dudley, said: "I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw it flapping about the street. It looks like even the animals at the zoo are sick of isolation.

"Its not something you see every day - certainly not in the middle of a landlocked town in the Black Country.

"My partner and I were on our way back from shopping for my nan and grandad, as I'm their full-time carers.

"It was certainly a shopping trip to remember. I was just in shock when I saw it. We had two of the kids in the back and they obviously loved it.

"I phoned the zoo straight away but I don't think they believed me. I told them I was being serious and then they put the phone down, they must have really panicked.

"When I got back from shopping I messaged the zoo to make sure they got it back and they replied to say they had, which was a relief.

"It was bang in the middle of the town centre, so it was pretty busy and I was worried for its safety.

"Obviously the roads are quieter at the moment so it could have been a lot worse.

"I knew it was from the zoo as I've been there lots and I know the flamingos are near the front.

"I can't believe it just got blown over the fence, the poor thing must have wondered what was going on but it seemed quite happy exploring its new surroundings.

"I couldn't get over the cyclist who casually rides past it, with no care in the world, that really made me laugh.

"We usually need to go to the safari park to see flamingos, so it was certainly a pleasant surprise."

A spokeswoman for Dudley Zoo said: "During the afternoon of Tuesday April 14 the flamingos were in their outside enclosure when the weather suddenly turned blustery and a gust of wind carried one of the flock out of its enclosure.

"Thanks to a phone call from the public, keepers quickly located the bird and following a quick health check she was returned unharmed to the rest of the flock.

"When the flamingo was located she on a grass lawn within the zoo grounds and it was only later that we found out that the flamingo had gone across Castle Hill road before heading home of her own accord.

"Although the flamingos wings are clipped so they cannot fly they are still able to glide.

"The management team will investigate the best option to fully net over the flamingos existing outdoor area.

"We are pleased to confirm that the flamingo suffered no ill effects and is happily eating her breakfast this morning."