Posted on: July 16, 2024, 12:40h.
Last updated on: July 16, 2024, 12:46h.
When The Mirage re-emerges from its construction cocoon in three years, it will be a Hard Rock casino resort with virtually no trace of its former self to trigger nostalgia among its visitors. Some of the property’s unique relics have already found new homes. Here are the ones we know about…
Siegfried & Roy Statue
The gold-painted statue of Siegfried & Roy with one of their white tigers is expected to be donated to the Neon Museum, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, though the museum has yet to confirm those plans.
The sculpture was unveiled just north of The Mirage’s marquee on Oct. 27, 1993, with both its human subjects, and resort founder Steve Wynn, in attendance.
Big Cats
The last surviving white tigers and lions housed at Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat were transferred to two animal sanctuaries — the WildCat Ridge Sanctuary in Scotts Mills, Ore. and In-Sync Exotics in Wylie, Tex. That’s according to a statement released from The Mirage in July 2023 that did not indicate how many cats were relocated or what specific types of cats were relocated to each sanctuary.
Whereas big cat and dolphin shows were once seen as an acceptable way to educate the kiddos about wildlife and conservation, public attitudes have changed about the benefits of exploiting animals raised in captivity.
The career-ending attack on Roy Horn by his white tiger, Mantacore, during Siegfried & Roy’s show on Oct. 3, 2003 served as a defining moment for the world to rethink its position.
Dolphins
In February 2023, three dolphins (Karli, Sofi, and Osborne) were relocated to SeaWorld in San Diego.
Another three (Huf-N-Puf, Coco, and Lady Ace) went to Coral World Ocean Park’s sea sanctuary at Water Bay in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands in May 2023.
Brass Mermaids
Plans are to auction off the two mermaid statues greeting guests at the resort’s entrance for the past 35 years.
These statues served as popular social-media photo ops and groping victims — as the sheen rubbed off a certain anatomical area attests.
The auction, which will include a number of other Mirage art items yet to be named, is expected to take place by mid-September.
Aquarium Fish
The 450 tropical fish swimming around the 20,000-galllon saltwater tank behind the front desk now swim around the Mandalay Bay’s Shark Reef — presumably, in a separate tank!
They represent 85 different species from around the world, including angelfish, puffer fish, tangs, and other sea critters.
The Mirage aquarium was cleaned 2-3 times a week by staff who suited up and dived in.
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