Walnut Forest, Calif. (AP) – Dozens of peacocks and peas are known for an art deco hotel in a Sacramento Delta that decorates art, and hotel staff said Tuesday they believe the birds were stolen.
The hotel’s general manager David Nielsen said at the Ryde Hotel mentioned on Sunday that the staff made a count and realized that there were only four exotic birds left when they saw two men grab one of the birds and put it in a cage on the pickup lathe.
“We’re not sure why anyone would do this, but the staff are absolutely heartbroken,” Nelson said.
Authorities are deeming the case a property crime. The male bird is worth $2,000, while the Peahens is worth $1,000, the Sgt. Amar Gandhi, spokesman for the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office. He did not share any other information.
The owner bought five birds and wandered around 14 years ago. Nelson said they copied “to the point where they became the hotel’s signature.” Peacocks are common in Art Nouveau design.
Staff provided them with filet mignon, ribs and salmon leftovers, and over time the birds became tame. They get used to people, and employees start to see them as pets, even naming some of them.
Rafe Goorwitch, the hotel’s catering coordinator, said he feeds about 15 peacocks twice a day. He named the largest Alibaba Baba because he would walk through the hotel like he owned this place.
“I’m kidding with our host who works in Baba because he’ll walk past the dinner room, the banquet hall and the garden with that attitude, he’s the boss.”
He said peacocks tend to be detached, but Baba “became like a dog.”
Nelson said people have been calling hotels with tips and possible witnesses, including reports of neighbors with new peacock pets, due to public information about missing birds.
Hotel staff want to spot birds and return home. Currently, hotels have added better, more surveillance cameras, and there are plans to add fences.
“They really mean a lot to us,” Nelson said.
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Rodriguez reported on San Francisco.
