A rare bird that "found comfort" in the lake of the Fountains of Bellagio paused the popular Las Vegas water show Tuesday evening.
"We are happy to welcome the most exclusive guests," the Bellagio Las Vegas posted on social media Tuesday. "The Fountains of Bellagio are paused as we work with state wildlife officials to rescue a Yellow-billed Loon."
The yellow-billed loon is an "international species of concern considered to be one of the 10 rarest birds that regularly breed on the mainland U.S.," according to the National Park Service.
A biologist from the Nevada Wildlife Department captured the loon Wednesday morning and moved it to a rural location for the best chance of continuing migration.
The agency first received reports of the yellow-billed loon in Lake Bellagio from concerned birders Saturday. It was monitoring the loon, hoping it would leave on its own volition.
"This is unusual because the bird is actually associated more with coastal areas," Wildlife Department spokesperson Doug Nielsen said. "But given the windy conditions that we experienced last week, there's a good possibility it got blown off course.
"If that was the case, the bird could easily be disoriented. It's a young bird, it's a juvenile bird, so it's learning as it goes," Nielsen added.
The Bellagio has not announced the resumption of the water show. MGM International Resorts, the company operating the Bellagio, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
