Beloved peacocks stolen from historic California hotel

The Ryde Hotel in Sacramento County is facing a heartbreaking situation – several of their beloved peacocks have gone missing. These stunning birds are known to roam the hotel’s grounds and delight guests with their beauty.

According to hotel manager David Nielsen, a guest witnessed two men capturing a peacock and loading it into a truck. A subsequent headcount revealed that only four out of the dozen peacocks that usually call the hotel home are still around. The Ryde Hotel, located near the California Delta, has a long history dating back nearly 140 years.

Events coordinator Rafe Goorwitch expressed the deep impact of this loss, calling it “a stab in the heart” for the hotel and the local community. The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office is actively investigating the case in hopes of finding the missing peacocks and bringing them back safely.

Sgt. Amar Gandhi informed The Times that this unusual case is being treated as a felony due to the significant value of these majestic birds – a male peacock can be worth $2,000, while a female peacock is valued at $1,000. There are concerns that the peacocks may have been stolen for illegal activities like cockfighting or the exotic animal trade.

While peacocks are not typically used for fighting, there is a real fear for their well-being. Gandhi emphasized that these birds deserve to be protected and returned to their rightful home. The Ryde Hotel, known for caring for a large flock of peacocks, is devastated by this loss and hopes for a swift resolution to this troubling situation.