NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) -- The NYPD has launched an investigation into the death of “Flamingo,” the pigeon who died this week from toxic pink dye fumes days after being rescued in Manhattan.
The police department confirmed to 1010 WINS on Friday that its Animal Cruelty Investigation Squad is probing the avian death but didn’t immediately say what the investigation will entail.
Animal rescuers have speculated that the white king pigeon was raised for food but then dyed pink for a gender reveal party or some other celebration before being abandoned.
The Wild Bird Fund, an Upper West Side wildlife center that had been caring for Flamingo, announced Tuesday that he died, likely from inhaling too many toxic dye fumes.
“Despite our best efforts to reduce the fumes coming off the dye, while keeping him calm and stable, he died in the night. We believe his death was caused by inhaling the toxins,” read a Facebook post from the nonprofit.
The story of young Flamingo, believed to be “barely older than a baby,” garnered worldwide attention after the bird was rescued from Madison Square Park in the Flatiron District last week.
When Flamingo was found, he was malnourished and bright pink—far from the normal color for a king pigeon.
The pigeon had “no survival skills when he was released and left to fend for himself,” the Wild Bird Fund said, adding it hoped the “tale of his too-short life will help prevent more acts of careless cruelty.”
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