Mating peacocks moved for safety

The eight birds, which normally live at Cardiff Castle, have had to be retrieved by keepers on a number of occasions after alerts from the public.

Experts were worried the birds would be hurt or even killed after crossing the road from the castle into shopping areas as part of mating rituals.

The birds have been relocated to a farm and a new group is to be brought in.

Keepers at the castle said the birds had to be taken to a new home after fears they could get injured or killed when straying from the castle grounds.

A spokesman for Cardiff Council said: "On a couple of occasions over the past few weeks, the current flock that resides in the castle grounds has gone Awol and been found by castle staff in various locations around the city centre.

"Whilst these incidents cause great interest and indeed amusement to shoppers and passer-bys, there is a serious side to the peacocks' behaviour," he added.

The pride includes three peacocks and five peahens, who have been given a new rural home at a farm in Pontardawe.

Falconry expert Phillipa Hawkins said: "Normally, the birds are very content to stay within the castle grounds, but recently a couple of the peahens as part of a display and mating ritual have gone further afield and unfortunately the whole flock has followed their lead."

There were fears that the birds could be hurt as they wandered onto busy roads outside the castle.

Kevin Burt, manager of Cardiff Castle, said: "We were concerned the peacocks might be injured or killed by the traffic, or cause an accident, so we have decided to disperse this particular flock.

"A new collection of peacocks and peahens will be introduced to the site in February, which will give us time to develop new ways of managing them.

"With the introduction of a different feeding regime we hope to re-train the new flock so that they do not feel the need to wander.

"It would also help us a great deal if members of the public did not feed the birds."

Mr Burt said it was very important to continue to keep the peacocks at the castle as they were an important part of its history.

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