UPDATE (KNPR) — A rare bird that paused the Bellagio fountain show on the Las Vegas Strip was captured and released to a more remote location, officials said on Wednesday.
"A juvenile, yellow-billed loon, generally associated with coastal regions, was discovered within the fountain at the Bellagio," the Nevada Department of Wildlife wrote on X. "This morning, biologists safely captured and relocated the loon to a more suitable and remote location where it has space, food, and quiet surroundings."
A juvenile, yellow-billed loon, generally associated with coastal regions, was discovered within the fountain at the Bellagio. This morning, biologists safely captured and relocated the loon to a more suitable and remote location where it has space, food, and quiet surroundings. pic.twitter.com/rIwepWpOkC
— NV Dept. of Wildlife (@NvDOW) March 6, 2024
ORIGINAL REPORT (AP) — The Bellagio said in a social media post Tuesday that it paused its fountains as it worked with state wildlife officials to rescue a yellow-billed loon who “found comfort on Las Vegas’ own Lake Bellagio.”
Well, there is a very rare yellow-billed loon in the Bellagio Fountains in Las Vegas today. This species is normally an Arctic species that usually winters on the Pacific Coast of Alaska and British Columbia. Hopefully it will move to a place that has fish! pic.twitter.com/vtt1HOPp4n
— David J. Syzdek (@dsyzdek) March 3, 2024
The yellow-billed loon is an international species of concern that is considered to be “one of the 10 rarest birds that regularly breed on the mainland U.S.,” according to the National Park Service.
“We are happy to welcome the most exclusive guests,” the Bellagio said in its post.
Initially, the Bellagio’s fountain shows were paused while officials figured out how to proceed, an MGM Resorts International spokesperson told the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Wildlife officials determined that the bird wasn’t bothered and the show was cleared Tuesday to resume, but a spokesperson later said the shows would remain on hold.
The Associated Press sent an email Wednesday seeking updated information from an MGM spokesperson, including when the shows might resume.
Concerned birders called the Nevada Department of Wildlife’s Southern Nevada office asking the agency to intervene, spokesperson Doug Nielsen said. The bird likely sought shelter from a storm, Nielsen said, noting that it isn’t uncommon for migratory birds to visit the valley.
A rescue mission might be necessary if the bird stays too long, but for now, the agency plans to monitor the situation in hopes that the bird will realize it needs a more regular food source and move on, he said.
“We’re just going give it space,” Nielsen said. “Hopefully, it’ll say: ‘Gee, I’m not finding anything swimming in here, so I probably need to go.’”