The fountain shows at Bellagio have become a popular tourist attraction in Las Vegas since the facility opened in 1998. Visitors line the street to watch the streams of water cascading through the air that synchronize with the music at the 8.5-acre structure. Lake made.
However, the shows were halted on Tuesday after a rare bird was discovered on the water. Someone stopped at the lake and the fountain shows stopped briefly.
“We are delighted to welcome the most discerning guests,” the property noted on Twitter. “The Bellagio Fountains have been temporarily shut down while we work with state wildlife officials to save the Yellow-billed Diver, one of the 10 rarest birds in the United States, which has found rest in Lake Bellagio in Las Vegas.
Transportation is required
This species is usually found in the northern regions of Canada, but spends the winter in the western coastal regions of the United States
Officials with the Nevada Department of Wildlife were able to remove the bird from the lake the next day and move it to an undisclosed body of water. The administration posted a video on Twitter of the bird’s release, in which the moon was flapping its wings quickly and swimming away after being released.
A small yellow-billed animal, generally associated with coastal areas, has been discovered inside the fountain at Bellagio. This morning, biologists were able to safely capture the submarine and move it to a more suitable and remote location where it had space, food and quiet surroundings. pic.twitter.com/rIwepWpOkC
– Nevada Department of Wildlife (@NvDOW) March 6, 2024
Wildlife experts believe the bird should now resume its migratory journey north. Wildlife Department spokesman Doug Nielsen told The Associated Press that the little bird may have changed its migration pattern to avoid the storm, not just to watch the famous fountain show, which has been featured in numerous movies and TV shows.
Nielsen added that it is not unusual for migratory birds to visit the area, although a casino stop may not normally be on the itinerary. The Bellagio Hotel was able to resume its fountain shows on Wednesday.
Wildlife is no stranger to the Strip, with Mirage hosting tiger and dolphin habitats for years. Casinos mixed with wildlife also made some news in 2020 when the Waze navigation app was directing visitors to the Borgata in Atlantic City instead of a wildlife refuge 45 minutes away.
*Photos by @AlanHalaly on Twitter
