A Canadian tourist on trial for allegedly stealing a flamingo from the Flamingo Las Vegas hotel has stated he had no harmful intentions, describing the incident as a drunken prank. Mitchell Fairbairn, 34, testified that he drank between 30 and 40 beers before entering the hotel's wildlife habitat around 5 a.m. on March 3.
Fairbairn, an Ontario businessman attending an international construction exhibition in Las Vegas, told the court he had experience with animals, owning pets and having previously rescued farm animals. He stated that he was feeling down due to his father's cancer diagnosis at the time of the trip.
Under cross-examination, Fairbairn acknowledged that video footage of the incident did not look favorable and that the flamingo, named Peachy, was injured. "I’m taking responsibility," he said, while claiming he did not know how the bird lost feathers. He also denied intending to kill the bird.
Fairbairn testified that he entered the enclosure after noticing a bird whose wings appeared uneven, though he admitted he should not have entered. He stated he picked up Peachy to take a photograph as part of a "silly pranky joke." He claims he carried the bird to his hotel room for only a few minutes before leaving it in the hallway, and that he was preparing to return the animal when he was arrested.
Jurors questioned his explanation for entering the habitat, including how he could discern uneven wings on resting flamingos. Fairbairn said one wing appeared higher than the other and that a sleeping flamingo could appear to have uneven wings. He denied seeing any injuries or blood on himself or the wall while handling Peachy.
Police accounts differ, stating that surveillance footage showed Fairbairn wrestling the bird by its neck and legs. Investigators allege that photographs and videos recovered from his phone depicted him choking the bird and throwing it to the floor, with one clip showing him saying he was "taking the bird home." A "large bloody feather" was reportedly found in his hotel room, and animal control officials stated that Peachy suffered a wing injury requiring stitches. Authorities also alleged that other birds were injured during the incident.
Fairbairn faces four felony counts related to animal cruelty, torture, maiming, or killing. Caesars Entertainment, the hotel's owner, called the incident "deeply distressing" and confirmed that Peachy and other birds were receiving veterinary care. Closing arguments are expected on Monday, after which the jury will begin deliberations.