One of the peacocks found dead in Durbanville.
- Over 20 peacocks were found dead in Durbanville amid fears they may have been poisoned.
- A resident said that some were in the final throes of convulsion and vomiting, while others were already dead.
- The peacocks are a familiar sight in the semi-rural suburb on the fringes of the Cape Town metropolis.
More than 20 peacocks that are a familiar sight to Durbanville, Cape Town, residents were found dead along the veld on Skilpadvlei Way.
The horrific find was made early on Tuesday after the local neighbourhood watch started receiving reports from concerned residents.
Resident Ryan Jonas said some who were in their final death throes were convulsing and vomiting, raising fears that they may have been poisoned.
“I don’t think it was an accident,” said a shocked Jonas.
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He said the peacocks had been a feature of the area for at least 20 years.
“It is just beautiful to have them there. They just had little chicks too,” he said.
Jonas is now worried about the fate of the francolins and guinea fowl that also forage in the area which is close to a wetland.
Jaco Pieterse of the Cape of Good Hope Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) said 22 carcasses of peacocks were collected, of which 12 were adult peacocks, and seven were juveniles.
They also retrieved a ring neck dove and two laughing doves.
“We are busy with an investigation,” said Pieterse.
Appeal
“However, at this stage we do not have much information. We are going out with a public appeal to ask for the public to provide us with information, should they have any.”
Jonas said there was talk that if they were poisoned it may have been somebody who was annoyed with their distinctive shrill cries, but stressed that this had not been confirmed.
Western Cape police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk said several residents reported finding dead peacocks in the street and in their yards.
The Grassy Park SPCA was contacted, and they removed the dead peacock.
Van Wyk said about five who were still found alive were also removed.
He asked that anyone with information on the incident call Durbanville police on 021 970 3826 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
A case falling under the Animal Protection Act is being investigated.
