Pinky was a 19-year-old Chilean flamingo that was killed allegedly when an Orlando man picked up the bird at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and through the bird to the ground.
Pinky, a 19-year-old Chilean flamingo, had to be euthanized after the female flamingo suffered severe trauma when an Orlando man reached into a flamingo pen, picked up the bird, and threw it to the ground about 6:45 p.m. Tuesday August 2, 2016.
Witnesses pointed out the suspect to the park’s security officers, who notified police. Witnesses told police they saw the man throw the bird to the ground. The man was identified as Joseph Anthony Corrao, age 45, and was transported in custody to Hillsborough County Jail. Corrao faces felony animal cruelty charges, and was held on $2,000 bond.
Pinky was transported to the park’s Animal Care Center, where veterinarians determined euthanization was necessary to humanely care for the flamingo.
Joseph Anthony Corrao was described as male 5’05” and 205 LBS.
