The first paragraph–what journalists call the lede–on this story is..I can’t even express properly it’s sheer perfection. It was written by journalist Alannah Kelly of CTV in Victoria.
A promiscuous and prolific peacock has been relocated by animal control officers after setting up a new home near a Victoria apartment and causing quite the commotion.
People living across from Beacon Hill Park know all too well that this time of year is mating season for peacocks.
They’re a vocal bunch even when they stay in the park, but this year, one bird took his show on the road.
“From 5:30 a.m. ’til 8 p.m. he would do his mating dance in front of our front door and attract the ladies over,” said Susan Simmons. “At first it was really cute, but then it becomes really frustrating because of the noise.
“He owned the building, the women heard him making the calls and he would have three regulars that would sit on the fence and wait for him,” she said. “Quite a little Studio 54 glitter dance going on over here.”
According to Simmons, the peacock attacked someone in the building, so residents called animal control.
“He was getting aggressive and became very territorial,” she said. “He’s got quite a reputation.”
Residents gave the peacock the nickname “Peat.”
Animal control officer Chris McAllister said officers attended the home on Thursday and were able to move the peacock.
“I think he was looking at himself in the door to be quite honest,” laughed Simmons. “He would see his reflection in the mirror.”
McAllister said it is common for peacocks to leave the park, but this one was very stubborn.
“He kept going back to that same doorway,” said McAllister.
The peacock would even run away or try to fly away to evade officers.
“They just want to let his hormones calm down at the moment. I am curious to see in two weeks if he’ll come back,” said Simmons.
The peacock will stay in the undisclosed location, where officers hope his aggression will subside.
(This is an aside: I first saw this story on Twitter when it was next to another tweet. I had to re-read it to make sure the peacock reference wasn’t in regard to someone who announced last weekend a plan to run for the president).
