Sydney  - A blind flamingo police believe was beaten and left for dead by a group of teenagers visiting an Australian zoo is expected to survive after vets worked through the night to treat its wounds.

"He's just an icon, he's the oldest resident of the zoo, he's just a symbol of the beauty of nature," Adelaide Zoo chief executive Chris West said Thursday.

Four teenage boys have been charged over the attack that took place in broad daylight an in front of other zoo visitors on Wednesday.

The bird, the oldest of its kind in captivity, is believed to be in its 80s, having taken up residence in the zoo in the 1930s.

The flamingo, which was tame and liked mixing with visitors, is being treated for a broken beak and a bleeding eye. (dpa)