Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Tampa police department.

'Plastered' tourist fatally injures Pinko the famous dancing flamingo

According to a police report, a 45-year-old father of two was visiting Busch Gardens theme park in Florida with his family when he reached into a pen, picked up the flamingo and threw her down.

VETS AT BUSCH Gardens had to put down Pinky the dancing flamingo after a man grabbed her from an animal viewing area and threw her to the ground.

According to a police report, 45-year-old Joseph Anthony Corrao of Orlando was visiting the theme park with his family when he reached into a pen in the Jambo Junction area, picked up the flamingo and threw her down.

Police Spokesman Stephen Hegarty said Corrao handled the bird “violently”.

Corrao was detained by the park’s security and arrested by Tampa police on a charge of animal cruelty after witnesses said they saw him throw the flamingo.

A witness said Carrao was “plastered”and that his wife tried to move him away from the bird before he grabbed it, according to local website WKMG.

Busch Gardens said the bird suffered injuries so “traumatic” that she could not be saved.

“A very sad and hard day for us here,” said a park spokeswoman Karen Varga-Sinka.

Pinky was a Chilean flamingo hatched at the park 19 years ago, in 1996. Her dancing movements made her one of the park’s stars.

“Pinky loved to dance for our guests,” Varga-Sinka added. ”She will be sorely missed.”

Her keepers say that this is not a trained behaviour, but a natural behaviour she loved to show off.

“Flamingos are filter feeders, using their beaks to strain tasty morsels out of the water around them as they wade.

To stir up the tastiest treats, flamingos will stamp their webbed feet. Pinky often performed this toe-tapping behaviour out of the water for guests.

Beyond senseless

Pinky also appeared on behalf of the park’s conservation and education efforts as an “ambassador animal”.

The park has 20 flamingoes, a mix of Chilean and Caribbean.

Corrao was released from jail on a $2,000 bond, which was later raised to $5,000, according to WKMG.

Judge John Conrad said Corrao’s actions were “beyond senseless”.

It actually borders on depraved.

“Mr Corrao, I don’t know if you have other issues.

I don’t know who does that, I really don’t - I don’t relate to that on any level.

Corrao previously served three years in prison in Florida after being convicted of aggravated assault on a person 65 years or older, felony DUI, and fleeing from a law enforcement officer. 

Multiple witnesses claim he threw the flamingo down with such force that the bird’s foot was severed.

Read: Dublin Zoo examining incident where boy was seen inside rhino enclosure

Read: “My son fell in with the gorilla”- Police release mother’s frantic 911 call from Cincinnati Zoo

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
48 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute deano
    Favourite deano
    Report
    Jun 23rd 2018, 8:37 AM

    Great read….be safe doggies

    204
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute sandyred7
    Favourite sandyred7
    Report
    Jun 23rd 2018, 9:17 AM

    @deano: Your comment made me giggle. My dogs name is Deano and I just pictured him typing your comment on a phone! Must be the heat getting to me…!

    132
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alana
    Favourite Alana
    Report
    Jun 23rd 2018, 10:06 AM

    @sandyred7: a bichon buzz

    4
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute sandyred7
    Favourite sandyred7
    Report
    Jun 23rd 2018, 10:13 AM

    @Alana: oh yeah… does that on a daily basis. Hilarious!

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute deano
    Favourite deano
    Report
    Jun 23rd 2018, 8:00 PM

    @sandyred7:

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Niallers
    Favourite Niallers
    Report
    Jun 23rd 2018, 8:58 AM

    Getting the dog groomed will make a huge difference to their comfort. They’ll bake if coat is not cut/shaved back.

    63
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lily
    Favourite Lily
    Report
    Jun 23rd 2018, 10:19 AM

    @Niallers: depend on the breed!

    Some dogs can’t regulate their body temperature if their double coat is cut or shaved. It’s actually really bad for them. Those big white fluffy Samoyeds need to stay fluffy!!!

    32
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lily
    Favourite Lily
    Report
    Jun 23rd 2018, 10:24 AM

    Do not shave or cut the fur of any double coated dog, it’s really dangerous they will over heat and get sun burn. Their double coat helps keep them cool!

    32
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Linda Hegarty
    Favourite Linda Hegarty
    Report
    Jun 23rd 2018, 10:16 AM

    Unfortunately you’ll still get idiots walking their dogs in the sun and leaving them in cars. Some people just won’t listen

    82
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
Duration 0:00
Loaded: 0%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time 0:00
 
1x
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions off, selected
      News in 60 seconds