Canadian tourist says drunken flamingo prank caused bird’s injury

Mitchell Fairbairn, a Canadian tourist, told a Las Vegas court he had no intention of harming a flamingo he took from a hotel wildlife habitat to his room. He described the incident as a drunken prank, but acknowledged the bird was hurt; the case matters because he faces trial over the alleged theft and mistreatment of the animal.

Fairbairn, 34, said he drank about 30 to 40 beers before entering the habitat at around 5am on 3 March, then carried the flamingo, Peachy, to his room for two or three minutes. He said he was trying to take a photograph and planned to return the bird, but agreed he should not have entered the enclosure. Police reportedly found a bloody feather, while animal control said Peachy had a wing injury; closing arguments are expected on Monday.