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11

Mar 2021

Last Updated: 11/03/2021
Politics
Politics

Killinghall peacocks could be neutered

by John Plummer

| 11 Mar, 2021
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Parish councillors are investigating whether it's possible to neuter the male birds amid concerns there are now as many as 16 peacocks roaming around the village.

peacock-1
One of the Killinghall peacocks.

Parish councillors are investigating the possibility of neutering peacocks that roam around a village.

Killinghall has been home to an ostentation of peacocks for many years.

Although most people welcome them, some are concerned about the increasing number and their impact.

There are now believed to be least 10, and possibly as many as 16.

At its latest meeting, Killinghall Parish Council resolved to look at ways of stemming the population growth, possibly by neutering.

When contacted by the Stray Ferret, Sue Reid, the clerk of the council, emphasised the organisation had no intention of getting rid of the birds.

But she said the council was obliged to respond to concerns raised by some residents. She said:

"We have never said we want to get rid of the peacocks. All we are doing is respecting the fact that not everybody likes them.
"Killinghall can't sustain them growing in such numbers."


Ms Reid said the peacocks had damaged cars and had even got into the home of one older woman and "wreaked havoc".

The council has put up posters urging people not to feed the birds, which are feral and can take care of themselves.

But Ms Reid is now investigating the practicalities of neutering the males, of which there are believed to be three.

"I am preparing a report for the next parish council meeting."