‘Pinky’ the dancing flamingo killed at Busch Gardens

She never had the chance for one last dance.

Pinky, a 19-year-old dancing Chilean flamingo at Busch Gardens in Tampa, had to be euthanized Tuesday after an alleged attack by a 45-year-old Orlando man, according to Tampa police.

Joseph Anthony Corrao, 45, was at the park with his family in the Jambo Junction animal viewing area about 6:45 p.m. when he reached into the animal pen, grabbed one flamingo and put it back down, police said. Then he grabbed Pinky and other guests told him he “shouldn’t do that,” according to police. He threw her to the ground, causing a foot to nearly sever, police said.

Pinky was taken to the animal care center, but had to be euthanized due to the extent of her injuries, Busch Gardens said in a statement.

“Pinky was a beloved member of the Busch Gardens Tampa Bay family and made many appearances on behalf of the park’s conservation and education efforts,” a spokeswoman for Busch Gardens said. “She will be sorely missed.”

She was well-known for her dancing, which her keepers said was “not a trained behavior, but a natural behavior she loved to show off.”

Dubbed the “Flamingo Flamenco,” Pinky would stomp her feet while turning in a circle. A video of the dance posted to YouTube has nearly 200,000 views.

Pinky, who would have turned 20 next month, started dancing at about age 2.

“While making an appearance with Jack Hanna, the team noticed that she was dancing on her own to get attention,” said Busch Gardens spokeswoman Karen Varga-Sinka. “Since then, she has danced for countless guests, school groups, media appearances and national television shows.”

It’s not clear why Corrao picked up the flamingo, but several patrons saw him throw her down “violently,” a Tampa police spokesman said.

Corrao was arrested and charged with animal cruelty.

He served time in prison after he was convicted of fatally shooting two of his neighbor’s dogs at point-blank range, according to the Tampa Bay Times. Corrao told authorities the dogs killed his daughter’s rabbits.

During his first appearance, a judge said Corrao’s alleged action “borders on depraved” and was “beyond senseless.” He was being held at a Tampa jail Wednesday afternoon on $5,000 bond.

SeaWorld, the owner of Busch Gardens, and The Humane Society of the United States condemned the attack.

According to the Florida Department of Corrections, Corrao served two years in prison for willfully fleeing and eluding law enforcement; driving under the influence, third conviction; and aggravated assault of a person 65 years or older charges out of Columbia County in north Florida. He was released last year.

dharris@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5471