Is the End Near for the Pink Flamingo?

October 24, 2006 - 5:41am

Can you imagine a world without them? (AP)

MIAMI -- Residents of Florida are mourning the death of one the state's most recognizable icons -- the plastic pink flamingo. It was 49.

The pop culture symbol was best known for showing up in people's yards all across the Sunshine State in the late 1950s just as Florida's tourism industry started to boom.

The demise of the flamingo comes after its maker, Union Products of Massachusetts, decided to end production in June, with the plant scheduled to shut its doors on Nov. 1.

The company says the plastic bird fell victim to soaring electricity prices and the increasing cost of materials.

However, not all hope is lost for flamingo lovers. Other companies have expressed interest in buying the molds in an attempt to save them from complete extinction.

MIAMI -- Residents of Florida are mourning the death of one the state's most recognizable icons -- the plastic pink flamingo. It was 49.

The pop culture symbol was best known for showing up in people's yards all across the Sunshine State in the late 1950s just as Florida's tourism industry started to boom.

The demise of the flamingo comes after its maker, Union Products of Massachusetts, decided to end production in June, with the plant scheduled to shut its doors on Nov. 1.

The company says the plastic bird fell victim to soaring electricity prices and the increasing cost of materials.

However, not all hope is lost for flamingo lovers. Other companies have expressed interest in buying the molds in an attempt to save them from complete extinction.

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