Rare bird found in Fountains of Bellagio on Las Vegas Strip safely relocated

Stephanie Overton
·2 min read
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LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — The Nevada Department of Wildlife announced Wednesday the rare bird that caused a pause of the Fountains of Bellagio was safely removed and relocated.

On Tuesday, March 5, Bellagio Hotel and Casino announced it was pausing the fountains as they worked with wildlife officials to rescue a juvenile Yellow-billed loon that had landed in the fountains.

“We are happy to welcome the most exclusive guests,” the resort said in a post on X.

On Wednesday, the Nevada Department of Wildlife posted a video on X, showing the Yellow-billed loon being relocated to a “more suitable and remote location where it has space, food, and quiet surroundings.”

According to the Nevada Department of Wildlife, biologists captured the Yellow-billed loon early Wednesday morning and were able to safely relocate the bird to a “more suitable and remote location,” where the loon will have space, food, and quiet surroundings.

The biologist who oversaw the capture told the Nevada Department of Wildlife that the bird had no apparent injuries and appeared to be in good health.

“We appreciate the employees of the Bellagio Resort & Casino for their cooperation and assistance in this matter,” a spokesperson with the Nevada Department of Wildlife said in a statement.

The Yellow-billed loon is an international species of concern, generally associated with coastal areas, and is one of the 10 rarest birds that regularly breed in the U.S., according to the National Park Service.

Yellow-billed Loons raise their young in northern Alaska each year. Recently, scientists with the Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service started monitoring the breeding population of Yellow-billed Loons across northern Alaska to document population trends and to investigate factors affecting the breeding population. This year, the species will be considered for listing under the Endangered Species Act, according to NPS.

According to MGM Resorts, who owns Bellagio, the fountain shows are anticipated to resume its normal schedule at 3 p.m. Wednesday.

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