Flamingo chicks missing from Hialeah racetrak

HIALEAH — Wildlife authorities are investigating after dozens of flamingo chicks went missing from a Miamiarea racetrack.

Hialeah Park Racing and Casino officials say the chicks hatched weeks ago, but up to 50were missing Wednesday.

The birds are too young to fly. Authorities say the chicks may have been stolen, though investigators haven’t found any suspicious tire tracks or other property damage.

Park Vice President Dennis Testa says the loss of the flamingoes has been devastating to a track where the birds have been a popular fixture for decades.

Hialeah Park is home to nearly 300 flamingoes. Spokesman Frank Fiore says small numbers of flamingoes will wander away from time to time, but nothing like the “clean sweep” when officials noticed the chicks were gone.