It’s not anything like the problem they’re having in Surrey, where council voted to capture and relocate them, but it appears Roberts Creek may have its own feral peacock.
The colourful bird has been spotted in an area ranging from Gulfstream Road near the waterfront to the mountain bike trails off the B&K logging road.
It’s not clear if it’s more than one bird, or whether it’s an escaped pet or farm animal.
Marika Donnelly, the manager of the Sunshine Coast branch of the BC SPCA, said they’ve had a couple of calls about peacock sightings in Roberts Creek but none were from an anxious owner missing their bird.
Irene Davy of the Gibsons Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre said they’ve also had a few calls, but because peacocks aren’t wildlife there’s little they could do to assist.
It’s a similar situation with the Conservation Officer Service and the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) animal control department. Conservation officers are focused on wildlife, and SCRD officials said although they had one inquiry about the wandering bird, SCRD animal control only deals with dogs.
Sightings of the peacock, or peacocks, have slowed in the last week, which could be a sign it’s found its way home or simply moved on to another area.