Six Fraternity Members Arrested After Pair Of Mating Flamingos Died In Initiation Prank Gone Wrong


Six more fraternity members from the University of Southern Mississippi have been arrested in connection with the death of two Hattiesburg Zoo Chilean flamingos. The mating birds were killed in a fraternity initiation prank gone wrong. Flamingos mate for life, and when the fraternity members and initiates entered the birds’ enclosure to steal his female mate, the male flamingo attempted to protect her. In the process, the male flamingo sustained life-threatening injuries and later died. Days later, the female flamingo was found and had to be euthanized due to the nature of the injuries she sustained.

According to the Daily Mail, in October of last year, 19-year-old Devin Nottis was arrested for grand larceny after video footage showed the teen taking the bird from the enclosure. The incident took place in the late night hours around 1:00 am. However, police believed that up to 10 people were involved in the theft and ultimate death of the birds. This week, six more students were arrested in connection with the flamingo deaths and theft.

The six suspects arrested included Tyler Branch, 21, Addonis Harris, 20, Richard Colton Coletta, 21, Alec Newton, 20, Bobby Scott, 18, and Cole Mitchell, 23. According to the report, the students entered the zoo as part of the Pi Kappa Alpha initiation. The group was supposed to snap a photo of the flamingos, but instead, they decided to take it a step further and actually steal one of the birds. In the process, the group ended up being responsible for the death of two of the Chilean flamingos. Zoo staff say that losing the female flamingo has cut their ability to breed more of the birds by 25 percent.

In response to the arrests and allegations, the University of Southern Mississippi has suspended the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity from the campus indefinitely. In addition to suspending the chapter, Devin Nottis, the student seen on CCTV footage removing the bird, has been placed on interim suspension. There is no word if the six additional students arrested will also be placed on suspension. However, the university says the actions of those students go against the values of the institution.

“This is a terrible and heinous act that has occurred, and inconsistent with the values of our institution.”

The Clarion-Ledger notes that all six of the newly arrested students are being charged with grand larceny and conspiracy. It was also noted that the Hattiesburg Zoo has not replaced the two flamingos yet.

[Image Credit: Facebook via Daily Mail]

Share this article: Six Fraternity Members Arrested After Pair Of Mating Flamingos Died In Initiation Prank Gone Wrong
More from Inquisitr