What started as an ordinary Thursday in Lower Moreland briefly turned into a suburban safari when a loose peacock was spotted strutting through a neighborhood, prompting calls to township police. Neighbors reported the bird near the intersection of Frederick Road and Robert Road, and responding officers tried to nab the colorful fugitive with a net. The peacock, however, was quicker than the patrols, and police said they would keep an eye on the area.
In a press release, Lower Moreland police said officers responded to multiple reports of the loose peacock and attempted to capture it but could not get close enough, according to FOX 29 Philadelphia. Wildlife experts told the department the bird might continue to roam the neighborhood yet will likely find its way home on its own. Police are asking anyone who recognizes the peacock or knows its owner to contact the department so the bird can be safely reunited with its family.
How to report sightings
Authorities are urging residents not to chase, corner, or try to catch the bird themselves and instead to call it in. The Lower Moreland Police Department lists its non-emergency contact information and department number on its CrimeWatch page, and residents can report tips by calling the non-emergency line at (215) 947-3132, according to the Lower Moreland Township Police Department. Until animal-control or wildlife specialists arrive, officials say pets should be kept indoors and the peacock should be given plenty of space.
Why officers are cautious
As striking as they are, male peafowl are not just decorative lawn ornaments. In spring, during mating season, they can become more territorial and aggressive, a mix that can mean loud calls, chasing, and, in some cases, pecking or use of their spurs. That seasonal attitude is a key reason wildlife officials and police are telling residents to admire the bird from a distance. Experts note these patterns of territoriality and mating-season aggression in peafowl, so steering clear is the safest move for both people and pets, according to The Environmental Literacy Council.
Police say they will continue to monitor the neighborhood and coordinate with wildlife specialists if necessary, and they are again stressing that residents should report sightings rather than trying to handle the situation themselves, as outlined by FOX 29 Philadelphia. Anyone with information about the peacock's owner is asked to contact Lower Moreland Township Police.
