Two men have been arrested after allegedly decapitated an exotic bird that was part of a resort attraction in Las Vegas.

Justin Texeira and Eric Cueller, both 24, were arrested Friday afternoon on suspicion of conspiracy and willful malicious torture or killing of wildlife after witnesses say they were throwing around the dead body of a bird at the Flamingo resort and casino.

The 14-year-old helmeted guinea fowl was part of the resorts Wildlife Habitat, which is a garden area that houses many birds. Both witness accounts and surveillance footage make it clear the two men chased the bird into some trees just after 9:30 a.m. before emerging carrying its body and severed head. Witnesses also say the two were playing around the with the body, throwing it back and forth at each other as they laughed about what they had done.

As of 2011, animal abuse in Nevada is treated as a felony rather than a misdemeanor, meaning the man face more harsh punishment.

Both Cueller and Texeira told police they are law students at the University of Berkeley and each had s student ID.