Dozens of Peacocks Vanish from Historic California Hotel: Each Worth $2K

Dozens of peacocks have mysteriously disappeared from the Ryde Hotel in Walnut Grove, California. The colorful birds, valued at around $2,000 each, were a beloved feature of the historic hotel’s lush grounds. Only four out of the original 40 peacocks remain after the reported theft.

General manager David Nielsen expressed the staff’s heartbreak over the missing peacocks, who were not only a unique attraction but also part of the hotel’s identity. The birds were known to roam freely around the property and interact with guests, making them easy targets for the alleged thieves.

The theft was discovered when a guest saw two men capturing the peacocks and loading them into a truck. Local authorities are now investigating the incident as a property crime. The male peacocks were estimated to be worth $2,000 each, while the peahens were valued at around $1,000.

The peacock population at the Ryde Hotel started with just five birds 14 years ago and grew into a thriving flock that became a signature feature of the establishment. Staff and guests alike enjoyed feeding the birds and interacting with them, with one peacock named Alibaba, or Baba for short, becoming a familiar presence around the hotel.

In response to the disappearance, the hotel staff has increased security measures, including installing more cameras, in the hopes of finding the missing peacocks and ensuring the safety of the remaining ones. The community is devastated by the loss of these unique and cherished birds, with hopes that they will eventually be returned home.