Canadian man arrested for injuring acclaimed flamingos at Las Vegas hotel

Authorities say the man broke into the flamingo habitat and injured several birds

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A Canadian man named Mitchell Fairbarn has been arrested on animal abuse-related charges after allegedly grabbing and injuring flamingos at the Flamingo Las Vegas last week. Video surveillance allegedly shows Fairbarn entering the flamingo habitat, grabbing two flamingos, and injuring one of the birds by trying to "pop" its wing back into place. Fairbarn was arrested and charged with four counts of willful/malicious/torture/maiming/killing of an animal.

Why it matters

The Flamingo Las Vegas is home to an acclaimed flock of flamingos that are a popular attraction for the hotel. This incident raises concerns about the safety and well-being of the flamingos, as well as the need for stronger security measures to protect the birds from potential harm by hotel guests.

The details

According to the arrest report, authorities received an animal cruelty call around 6 a.m. Tuesday from the Flamingo Hotel and Casino after Fairbarn had allegedly broken into the flamingo habitat and injured some of the birds. Video surveillance allegedly shows Fairbarn grabbing the first flamingo around 5 a.m. and a second flamingo around 5:07 a.m. Additional video and photos from Fairbarn's cellphone allegedly show him choking the flamingo and saying "I'm taking it home" as he walked back to his room. Fairbarn told police he entered the habitat because he saw a flamingo in distress and tried to "pop" the wing back into place, but authorities concluded that he "willfully and maliciously severely injured a federally protected migratory species".

  • On Tuesday, March 4, 2026, authorities received an animal cruelty call around 6 a.m. from the Flamingo Hotel and Casino.
  • Around 5 a.m. on Tuesday, March 4, 2026, video surveillance allegedly shows Fairbarn grabbing the first flamingo from the habitat.
  • Around 5:07 a.m. on Tuesday, March 4, 2026, video surveillance allegedly shows Fairbarn grabbing a second flamingo and entering an elevator.

The players

Mitchell Fairbarn

A Canadian man who was arrested on animal abuse-related charges for allegedly grabbing and injuring flamingos at the Flamingo Las Vegas.

Caesars Entertainment

The company that owns the Flamingo Las Vegas and is pursuing charges against Fairbarn to the fullest extent possible.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We are aware of the deeply distressing incident involving a guest who was arrested for breaking into our Wildlife Habitat and assaulting our flamingos. The safety and well-being of our iconic flock are of the utmost importance to us, and we will be pursuing charges against this individual to the fullest extent possible.”

— Caesars Entertainment (Scripps News Group)

What’s next

Fairbarn is set to make an initial appearance in court on Monday, March 11, 2026, where a judge will decide whether to allow him out on bail.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the need for stronger security measures and visitor education to protect the Flamingo Las Vegas' iconic flamingo flock from potential harm by hotel guests. It also raises concerns about animal welfare and the consequences for those who abuse or endanger federally protected species.