HATTIESBURG, Miss. – The Hattiesburg Zoo is considering purchasing chicks to replace four flamingos that have died since the exhibit opened last year, including two injured as part of what police have called a fraternity prank.
Devin Nottis, 19, is charged with grand larceny and animal cruelty in connection with the theft of one flamingo, which was injured so badly it had to be put to death. As part of the collateral damage it’s mate died a day later. Zoo workers had said the animal was injured in the same attack. And two other flamingos died of natural causes.
A city tourism official confirms that the zoo plans to talk to Zoo Atlanta about purchasing some of it’s chicks. This is nesting season. If the chicks are purchased now, zoo workers say it would be spring or early summer before they would be big enough to travel to Hattiesburg.
