Flamingo is classified as "near threatened" in the 2006 World Conservation Union Red List of Threatened Species, indicating that it is considered likely to qualify for a threatened category in the near future, according to a report compiled by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) researcher Anderson Koyo.

The report, released at a two-day workshop serving as an initial part of the program, said the flamingoes are regarded as flagship and indicator species for the lakes' ecosystem health and ecological integrity.

The status and trends of the flamingo populations and densities are a reflection of the hydrology and land use systems within the catchments, said the report.

It said "mitigating the challenges affecting the conservation of flamingoes would have added value effect on the conservation of all other species both within the lakes and the wider catchments."

About 70 participants from various countries, including researchers and officials of universities and conservation organizations and authorities, will brainstorm on subjects including the causes of flamingoes' death and the impact of pollution on the lakes.

In Kenya, the number of flamingoes counted in the lakes in the recent years is lower than what was counted in the 1960s at a maximum of 2 million compared with 3 million, according to the report.

In the African region as a whole, the number of the birds dropped from 5 million in 1974 to 4 million in 1994 and between 1. 5 and 2.5 million in 2006, it said.