Strange Crying Sound Spreads in Residential Area... "Feels Like a Baby Is Being Tortured"

Unexpected 'Peacock Warning' in LA Residential Area

Photo by Getty Images Bank

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Soyoung] Residents in the Los Angeles (LA) area of California, USA, are increasingly complaining about damage caused by flocks of peacocks whose population has surged.

According to major foreign media on the 6th (local time), dozens to hundreds of peacocks have been confirmed to be roaming in groups in Pasadena, San Gabriel, and other parts of Los Angeles.

These peacocks are descendants of a small number of individuals imported in the late 19th century and have become wild animals beyond human control. It is reported that their population has surged after efforts to capture and send the peacocks to quarantine facilities were halted due to strengthened COVID-19 prevention regulations. Some experts say that estimating the size of these wild peacock populations is nearly impossible due to their tremendous breeding capacity.

The biggest complaint from residents is the peacocks’ eerie cries, which sound like screams. Kathleen Turtle (68), a local resident, said, "They wake me up from dawn," and described it as "like a giant loudspeaker broadcasting the sound of a baby being tortured."

The 'nuisance behaviors' of the peacocks mentioned by residents are not limited to noise pollution. Male peacocks mistake their reflections in parked cars for rivals during breeding season and peck at them aggressively, and peacocks wandering in search of food have been damaging carefully maintained yards by digging up landscaping and other property.

As a result, emotional outbursts from residents stressed by the ongoing damage have sometimes led to violent responses. Incidents have occurred where people have tried to run over peacocks on the road with their cars, and even shot guns or set out poisoned bait to kill the peacocks.

Mike Maxey, who is involved in capturing and relocating the peacocks to quarantine facilities, described the situation as "the most severe polarization I have ever encountered in my life."

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is expected to push forward an ordinance banning the feeding of peacocks as early as the 8th and bring it to a vote. In the nearby city of Arcadia, feeding peacocks can result in a six-month jail sentence or a fine of $1,000 (about 1.1 million KRW).

Meanwhile, some peacock enthusiasts have reportedly expressed the view that measures such as relocating peacocks to nearby farms or prohibiting feeding are excessive.