Peachy, a 27-year-old Chilean flamingo, was resting in her habitat at the Flamingo Las Vegas around 5 a.m. when a tourist climbed a fence, grabbed her, and carried her through the hotel to his room. Security video shows him inside the habitat for about eight minutes. When Peachy was found, she was missing feathers and had blood on her feathers and injuries to her wings. Police said other birds in the habitat were hurt too. A jury has convicted the man of animal cruelty, but an important question remains: How was it possible for a drunk tourist to grab Peachy from her habitat?
Sign the petition urging Caesars Entertainment, the owner of the Flamingo, to strengthen overnight protections for the flamingo habitat so this never happens to these birds again.
Las Vegas is a city where visitors stay out all night, and some arrive intoxicated or behave unpredictably. The man's own lawyer told the jury he was drunk. Flamingos cannot fight back or get away, and the hotel's habitat is open to the elements and right in the middle of one of the busiest nightlife strips in the world. Hotel security noticed what was happening and called the police, but by then Peachy had already been hurt and carried off.
Peachy's veterinarian says she is doing all right physically, but she is now more anxious and nervous when she is examined. Caesars Entertainment has said it cares deeply for these birds. Taller or more secure barriers, overnight monitoring, and a fast response plan would help make sure no one can ever reach them again in the middle of the night.
In a city that never sleeps, animals that cannot protect themselves deserve protection that never sleeps either.
Sign the petition and demand Caesars Entertainment strengthen overnight protections for the flamingos at the Flamingo Las Vegas.
