The grandpa from Molentargius was born in France and has a fame that precedes him, so much so that he even ended up on Focus. An emblem - on two legs - of Sardinian longevity, in this case acquired, given that he arrived on the island for the first time in 1987 and chose to spend his old age and glory here. Kip the flamingo, as he was called, is the oldest in the Molentargius Natural Park: practically a centenarian, especially considering that it is a specimen that, not living in captivity, should have a life expectancy of around thirty years. But he has already reached the threshold of 46, carried - ailments on one wing aside - with ease and with all the honors that rightfully belong to him. By history and DNA.

Record-breaking pink

Kip is one of the many attractions of the seafront oasis that, in addition to the pink paintings given away every spring, can also boast this beautiful record. "The age is certainly very high. Kip is a bit of a legend, our old man", jokes biologist Luisanna Massa, who works in the earthly paradise nestled between Cagliari and Quartu and knows practically everything about him. Even about his undisputed popularity: "It is certainly a curious story that fascinates and helps promote the area", she observes. And then it refers to the past of the star flamingo, reconstructable step by step thanks to the PVC ring placed in his leg and which allows you to retrace his entire existence. Like a sort of digital curriculum.

Where it all began

"His life - Massa continues - is reconstructed based on the readings of the small device transmitted to the Ringing Center". A point of reference for research on flamingos. "The main one is in France, while for Italy we refer to Ispra (Higher Institute for Environmental Protection and Research)". Precious and fundamental passages to trace every trip that Kip has made over the years, starting from his birth, traceable without denial to August 3, 1979, as recorded in the Camargue wetland. A sort of baptism, before the first migrations and his transfer to the Sardinian capital. Kip has come a long way.

The arrival on the island

It is always thanks to the alphanumeric code, which also became his name, that we trace his first time in the salt pans of Cagliari. It was May 19, 1987. A stay interspersed with continuous forays into the ponds of Provence, because being an emigrant is not always easy. This is what happened until 2001, when Kip no longer moved from the more than 1,600 hectares of Molentargius. It is impossible to know whether by choice or due to the damage to a wing that still today no longer allows him his usual long trips overseas. The pink grandpa can only allow himself short trips between one tank and another in the Sardinian lagoon, his permanent home and of which he was one of the founders. "He was certainly one of the first flamingos to reproduce in the Park," the biologist is keen to underline. "Here he has the possibility of living a long time because he is in a protected area, where he finds plenty of food without having to move." Kip the Sardinian-French. A globetrotter with a European twist. A Generation X citizen of the world in every way.

Seniority and fame

A story also immortalized by Alessandro Casula, a photographer by passion and full-time employee of a tobacconist's shop in the city, who was lucky enough to spot Kip, hit him with his lens and have some of his shots published on the Focus website, where the images have collected over ten thousand likes. A pinch of deserved popularity for both, and also a form of publicity for Molentargius, classified as a Sic, a site of community importance, and chosen as a home by grandfather Kip, ready to greet the next arrivals.

Sarah Marci

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