Canadian tourist charged after flamingo taken from Las Vegas hotel habitat

Canadian tourist arrested after stealing flamingo from Las Vegas hotel. (Image: @mymomcare/ X)

A Canadian tourist has been charged with multiple felony counts of animal cruelty after allegedly taking a flamingo from a wildlife habitat at the Flamingo Las Vegas hotel and injuring the bird.

Police in Las Vegas said the incident occurred inside the hotel’s outdoor wildlife habitat, a well known attraction that houses flamingos, pelicans and other birds. Investigators say the man entered the enclosure area and grabbed a flamingo named Peachy before carrying it away.

Surveillance footage from the hotel reportedly shows the man walking through a corridor holding the bird before taking it to his hotel room. Authorities say the flamingo was later injured during the incident.

According to reports from local media and law enforcement statements, the man now faces four felony counts related to animal cruelty and theft. Police said the bird was taken from the protected habitat without permission and handled in a way that caused harm.

Hotel staff quickly alerted authorities after noticing unusual activity around the habitat. Security teams reviewed surveillance cameras and identified the suspect through footage captured in several areas of the property.

Officials said Peachy and several other birds were injured during the episode but were later treated by veterinarians. The hotel’s wildlife team placed the flamingos under observation to ensure they recovered properly from the stress and injuries caused during the incident.

The wildlife habitat at the Flamingo hotel has long been a distinctive attraction on the Las Vegas Strip. Visitors can walk through landscaped gardens and watch flamingos, ducks, swans and koi fish in a controlled environment maintained by trained staff.

Animal welfare experts say birds such as flamingos are particularly vulnerable to stress when handled by people. Even brief disturbances can cause injuries or long term health problems.

Police confirmed that the suspect was taken into custody and formally charged. Court proceedings are expected to determine whether additional penalties or restrictions will be imposed.

Authorities in Las Vegas said the case highlights the seriousness with which animal cruelty incidents are treated, particularly when animals are removed from protected habitats or tourist attractions.