Pinky the flamingo dies after attack at Busch Gardens - CNN.com
(CNN)Pinky, a flamenco-dancing flamingo and animal ambassador at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, died Tuesday after being attacked by a park guest, authorities said.
Tampa police said witnesses reported seeing Joseph Anthony Corrao reaching into the flamingo pen, picking up one flamingo and putting it back down.
Then he grabbed Pinky and his mother told him to leave the birds alone, police said.
Corrao, 45, threw Pinky to the ground, nearly ripping one foot off, witnesses told police.
Corrao was prevented from leaving by witnesses.
One told CNN affiliate WFTS that Corrao threw Pinky down "in a rage."
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.
We are taking this "extremely hard" and it's a "very sad day for us all," said Karen Varga-Sinka, a spokeswoman for Busch Gardens.