Peacock theft suspected at historic California hotel.

Dozens of peacocks and peahens have vanished from a historic California hotel, with staff suspecting an exotic bird heist. The birds were known for roaming the grounds of the Art Deco hotel in the Sacramento Delta.

A mysterious incident has left the Ryde Hotel in Walnut Grove, California, reeling. Dozens of peacocks and peahens have vanished from the hotel's grounds, with staff suspecting an exotic bird heist. The birds were known for roaming the orchard-lined banks of the Sacramento River and the hotel's banquet hall, adding a touch of natural beauty to the historic Art Deco property [1].

The hotel manager, David Nielsen, reported that two men were seen loading a peacock into a pickup truck on Saturday. A subsequent head count revealed that only four birds remained on the hotel grounds. The Sacramento County Sheriff's Office is investigating the case, with Sgt. Amar Gandhi estimating the value of a male peacock at $2,000 and a female at $1,000 [1].

The theft has raised concerns about the birds' potential fate. Nielsen fears they may have been stolen for cockfighting, a disturbing prospect. Gandhi, however, notes that peacocks are not typically used for fighting but that there is a real concern for their welfare. They could be used in the black market exotic animal trade or for peacock meat [1].

The Ryde Hotel has a long history, with the original structure built in 1886 and the current four-story Art Deco property constructed in 1926. The hotel has been home to several generations of peacocks, with about 40 birds living in the area and 15 visiting the hotel daily for food [1].

The theft has left the staff, particularly events coordinator Rafe Goorwitch, mourning the loss of their favorite birds. Goorwitch is particularly concerned about Alibaba, a peacock with a magnificent fan of tail feathers. The hotel has installed more cameras to protect the remaining birds [1].

The Sheriff's Office is using witness accounts and detective work to track down the birds. The rural area's lack of security cameras and license plate readers makes the investigation more challenging. However, the department remains hopeful of bringing the birds home [1].

The incident highlights the potential risks of exotic animal theft and the need for robust security measures in rural areas. The Ryde Hotel's staff is determined to protect the remaining peacocks and find a solution to the recent theft [1].

References:
[1] https://www.yahoo.com/news/stab-heart-beloved-peacocks-reported-023501884.html