Flamingo Bob is a celebrity on the Dutch Caribbean island of Curaçao, where he acts as an emissary for conservation, and protecting nature. Local veterinarian Odette Doest rescued Bob in 2016, after the American flamingo slammed into a hotel window.
She began taking him to local schools as the face of her organization, Foundation for Animals and Education in the Caribbean, and he quickly gained a following. Odette Doest’s cousin, Netherlands-based photographer Jasper Doest, has chronicled Flamingo Bob’s exploits around the island for several years, from strolls through downtown Willemstad, and dips in Bob’s own backyard pool, to appearances on local television.
By grabbing people’s attention with the tall, colorful bird, Odette Doest hopes to increase awareness of environmental issues in the Caribbean, particularly plastic pollution, coral reef degradation, and habitat loss.
Artist Bios
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Jasper Doest
Jasper Doest is a Dutch photographer who creates visual stories that explore the relationship between humankind and nature. Through his photographic work, he gives a voice to the natural world, and tries to bridge the gap between that world, and ourselves.
A true believer in the power of photography to initiate change, Jasper is an International League of Conservation Photographers senior fellow, and a World Wildlife Fund ambassador. His work has appeared in international journals, and he has received numerous awards, including World Press Photo recognition, and Wildlife Photographer of the Year.
Jasper frequently lectures on photography, conservation, and global sustainability, and he has presented before groups such as the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bonn, and the Royal Geographical Society in London.
Organizations
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National Geographic
Representing the largest brand on social media with over 780 million followers and 1.1 billion impressions each month, National Geographic Content’s award-winning and critically acclaimed storytelling inspires fans of all ages to connect with, explore, and care about the world through factual storytelling. National Geographic Content, part of a joint venture between The Walt Disney Company and the National Geographic Society, reaches over 532 million people worldwide in 172 countries and 33 languages as a digital, social, and print publisher and across the global National Geographic channels (National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo WILD, Nat Geo MUNDO), National Geographic Documentary Films, and direct-to-consumer platforms Disney+ and Hulu. Established in 1888, National Geographic is a trusted print and digital publication that creates visually stunning, richly reported photojournalism and distinguished, impartial coverage of the globe’s most pressing issues. Visit nationalgeographic.com and natgeotv.com or explore Instagram, Threads, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, TikTok, and Reddit.
Flamingo Bob
Featuring: Jasper Doest
Curated by: Julie Hau
Supported by:
Locations
View Location Details Washington Street and Prospect StreetWashington Street and Prospect Street
DUMBO, Brooklyn 11201
Location open 24 hours
