Pinky, The Flamingo, Dies After Being Attacked By Busch Garden Guest Joseph Anthony Corrao

by Khoreen EcclestonAugust 4, 2016, 7:04 pmNews, News Feed >

Pinky, a flamenco-dancing flamingo and animal ambassador at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, died Tuesday after being attacked by a park guest, reports CNN.

Joseph Anthony Corrao was seen by an eye witness, reaching into the flamingo pen, picking up one flamingo and putting it back down, reported Tampa police.

He then grabbed Pinky and his mother told him to leave the birds alone, police said. He then threw Pinky to the ground, nearly ripping one foot off, witnesses told police.

Pinky, a 19-year-old Chilean flamingo, suffered traumatic injuries, a park statement said. She was

swiftly transported to the park’s Animal Care Center, but veterinarians had to euthanize her due to

the severity of her injuries, the park said.

Karen Varga-Sinka, a spokeswoman for Busch Gardens has said they were taking it “extremely

hard” and that “very sad day for us all.”

Pinky was known for her dancing. According to her keepers, “this is not a trained behavior, but a

natural behavior she loves to show off,” Varga-Sinka said.

Corrao, who was at the park with his mother, brother and three children, was arrested and charged with felony animal cruelty, the Tampa Police Department said.

“It’s beyond senseless,” Judge John Conrad said, the Tampa station reported. “It actually borders on depraved, in my opinion.”

Corrao, who is from Orlando, was released on $5,000 bail.