Flamingo attack
Original article can be found here: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24575749-2702,00.html
ONE of the oldest greater flamingoes in captivity is in a critical condition today after being bashed at Adelaide Zoo in an attack that has stirred public outrage.
For at least 50 years, the flamingo known by staff as Greater, about 70 years old and blind, and its partner, a Chilean, have been one of the star turns of the zoo, mainly because of their accessibility.
But today four teenagers are facing animal cruelty charges over the attack on Wednesday in which Greater suffered beak damage.
Talkback radio in Adelaide went into meltdown this morning as the city voiced its outrage at the abuse of trust represented by the attack.
Zoo birdkeeper Vaughan Wilson said the knee-high fence separating the flamingoes from the crowd had always caused concern.
“The benefit of the enclosure is people can get very close to the animals, and we don't want to remove that,” he said. “That's part of why people do love them.”
The greater flamingo is still under observation in case of internal injuries.
It is believed his assailants landed a blow across the beak, causing concussion and blood to seep down the airways.
The exact age of the flamingo remains unknown, as proper records from his arrival in the 1930s do not exist.
Adelaide Zoo has had its share of brutal incidents before: in 1985, two men broke in and killed 64 animals.
In November 2006, a pair of valuable African grey parrots was stolen, seven months after the theft of a baby meerkat called Wanda.
A rare squirrel monkey was also taken in 2004.
*********************************************
Can you believe some people?! It's just insane. However, they were charged today - not sure what their punishment was though. Assholes.