FREDERICTON, N.B. -- A stolen six-foot ornamental flamingo has been reunited with its rightful owner, thanks to a community effort sparked on social media.
Winnie the flamingo was a local icon that has stood on the front lawn of a furniture and beauty store on Fredericton’s Northside for months. On Friday, the businesses’ two-year anniversary, Winnie disappeared – cut down in the middle of the night.
Sarah Perkins turned to social media after she discovered Winnie was gone. Using the hashtag #BringBackWinnie, she garnered hundreds of shares and comments from people who expressed their disgust and hopes that the big tropical bird would be found.
Perkins says she just wanted the culprit to bring Winnie back, no questions asked. She hadn’t even gone to the police before she received a call saying Winnie had been found.
“I got a random call from the Fredericton police force that said, ‘we’ve got a flamingo that’s got your name on it.’ They just happened to find it, and they put two and two together.”
Perkins says that finding Winnie was a complete community effort.
“The power of community and social media, I’m telling you – I’m very happy,” said Perkins.
From social media, someone recognized the six-foot tall flamingo going into someone’s house. They contacted police, and police contacted Perkins. It all happened within 24 hours.
“She’s broken, she’s tattered,” said Perkins. “We’ll hopefully sturdy her up and get her back out next week hopefully.”
While Winnie is a little wounded, Perkin’s says she’s not interested in pursuing charges. Her faith is restored – along with her flamingo.
With files from CTV’s Laura Brown.
