A peacock is one of the stunning stars in a zoo. It roams around the area flaunting its colorful tail and I admit it’s a showstopper. It’s normal to see them roaming around, which makes me start to wonder why do zoos let peacocks walk around? Is there a general rule that zoo owners follow?
There’s no general guideline about putting the peacock out of a cage. It’s not even a trend that zoo owners follow. Peacocks are allowed to walk around because they are like cats that know where they get fed. They know where to go back and they do not tend to go anywhere.
Apart from having the same behavior as cats, here are some other reasons why they are allowed to roam free in the zoo.
Do zoos let peacocks roam free?
Zoos let peacocks roam free because peacocks are domesticated. It’s the same way with its female counterpart, the peahen. As domesticated animals, they are comfortable with people. So, zoo owners are not afraid if peacocks walk around the facility with humans.
Forage and shelter
Peacocks usually roam to find food and shelter and zoos have readily available food for them. They are like cats in the sense that even if they leave the house of their owner, they still go back because it’s where they get their food. Peacocks’ priority is food. They won’t leave an area if they know food is available.
On the other hand, they also prioritize their shelter. If you see them roaming around they may be looking for a place to give them protection during bad weather or when they just want to take a rest. They also find shelter so they can be free from harm and danger.
You can spot peacocks on tree branches because it serves as a safe place for them to avoid predators. The height they can reach depends on their ability to fly high. The Indian peafowl seeks its protection when it stays on a higher branch. On the other hand, the green peacock prefers the lowest branch.
Peacocks in zoos typically stay in the zoo area and not roam within the parking lot. It’s because they know that there’s no food in the parking lot. If food is unavailable in a specific area, they won’t go or stay there. It also means that there’s nothing to worry about them leaving the zoo because it has an abundant supply of food. It’s something that peacocks can’t compromise.
Zoo amusement
Visitors love to be amused by the animals in the zoo. Showstoppers such as giraffes, snakes, and parrots are among the favorite zoo animals. But a peacock is not exempted from this entertainment scene. When they start to show off their feathers, everyone will stop. This is the reason why zoo owners allow peacocks to roam around.
If you want to see the enthralling feathers of the peacocks, you must visit the zoo during the mating season. It’s usually happening between February and August.
It’s an exciting scenario because peacocks during this season show their feathers to the peahens so they can be picked to become a mate. It’s like a beauty contest because all the peacocks try their best to get noticed. They show off their feathers and scream loudly to guarantee a chance of getting a mate.
Do peacocks roam around the zoo even without carers?
Peacocks can roam around the zoo even without carers because zoo owners create a feeding station within the zoo. It’s a spot where peacocks can come back each time they feel hungry. Yet, during the warm months, peacocks prefer to forage their food. They eat insects all day during this season. So, zoo owners would probably use a small amount of pest control to make sure that ostrich will be able to consume insects.
Peacocks also eat any scraps of feed from other zoo animals. However, this is done only when an enclosure is provided. You can even see them eating grasses too. At an early age, you can see peachicks foraging their food as the peahens teach them to find the right location to forage. If you want to see the peachicks, visit the zoo after the mating season, which is around September.
Do peacocks attack humans in the zoo?
Peacocks don’t attack humans. Whether it’s in the wild or a contained habitat, peacocks don’t attack. If you’re a frequent zoo visitor, you probably notice that they mind their own business. So, having them around is not a problem at all.
If you ever heard unfortunate events about peacocks attacking humans, it’s because peacocks were agitated or they felt a threat. When there’s an unusual commotion nearby, their instinct tells them to protect themselves. They either run away from the danger or they attack whatever or whoever is nearby.
Peacocks don’t attack everyone in the zoo when they feel in danger. If they’re agitated by a human, it’ll only attack the human that agitates it. A peacock usually pushes the person it attacks. It also pecks or jumps on people leaving scratches on the victim.
If you’re on a trip with your little ones, I suggest that you don’t let them go near the peacock. They may create disturbance to the peacocks, which may startle the birds. Because the little ones are smaller than peacocks, they may get wounded and get blood all over their face or body.
So, it isn’t a good idea to kick a peacock, if you’re considering such an idea.
Conclusion
Don’t be afraid of peacocks. They are tamed, that’s why you can see them roaming around the zoo. Let them mind their own business and don’t force them to show their feathers. Take note that you can only see it during the mating season. If you’re visiting the zoo with a toddler, keep an eye on your kid and explain that running after seeing a peacock is a bad idea. The peacock may get startled and it may attack the kid.
