A group of youths were seen taking a flamingo early Tuesday morning from Hattiesburg Zoo. Courtesy of Hattiesburg Zoo
Nottis(Photo: HPD)
Nine other suspects are being investigated in connection with the early Tuesday morning theft of a Chilean flamingo from the Hattiesburg Zoo.
Only Devin Nottis, a University of Southern Mississippi freshman, was arrested late Wednesday and charged with grand larceny and trespassing in the case.
On Thursday, Southern Miss placed the Pascagoula resident on interim suspension, and the fraternity he was pledging — the Delta Mu chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha "PIKE" — was indefinitely suspended, said Joe Paul, vice president for Student Affairs. The chapter also was placed on administrative suspension by the national organization.
During the suspension, Nottis, 19, is prohibited from the Southern Miss campus for any reason other than judicial proceedings with the Dean of Students office, and is subject to arrest if found in violation of the order. Bond had not been set and he was still in the Forrest County jail on Thursday. His first appearance is scheduled for Friday.
The chapter has been ordered to cease and desist all activities until further notice by the university. In addition, the national office of the fraternity has placed the chapter on administrative suspension, requiring that it cease operations for 30 days while executive officers determine its future.
"The university is taking swift and appropriate action in response to this incident," Southern Miss Vice President for Student Affairs Joe Paul said in a press release.
"This is a terrible and heinous act that has occurred, and inconsistent with the values of our institution."
Hattiesburg police officials said Nottis and the other men involved were local college students and pledges of the fraternity.
According to a HPD news release, officers learned the students were on a scavenger hunt, but Nottis decided to take a Chilean Flamingo instead of taking a picture of the animal.
It was a college activity that went bad, Taylor said.
"Southern Miss is working with the Hattiesburg Police Department to see exactly what transpired," said Van Arnold, a university spokesman. "We're aggressively investigating the matter in question. Further details will be released later."
The female Chilean flamingo was taken from the zoo early Tuesday, and was found injured later that morning. The bird had to be euthanized due to the extent of its injuries.
A second flamingo since has died. It was the mate of the stolen flamingo, Taylor said. It was found dead in the holding area this morning with scrapes on its body.
A necropsy was performed and gross internal injuries were discovered.
"We think the male attempted to defend his mate and was injured," Rick Taylor said.
This story will be updated as information becomes available.
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