For years, the Ryde Hotel in Northern California was home to a beloved flock of peacocks. Locals and guests alike came to admire their beauty and presence. But recently, dozens of these peacocks and peahens were stolen in the middle of the night—some lured into traps, others chased and captured. Surveillance footage even showed vans driving off with them.

This heartbreaking event could have been prevented.

Hotels, resorts, and public properties that keep or coexist with wildlife—whether exotic birds, goats, or koi—should be required to follow basic security guidelines to protect these animals. That includes fences that keep animals in and poachers out, motion-triggered cameras, trained staff, and partnerships with local animal control. 

These are living creatures—not attractions or decorations—and they deserve protection. What happened at the Ryde Hotel must never happen again.

We call on local and state authorities to implement common-sense wildlife protection rules for hotels and similar properties that keep or showcase animals. We have a responsibility to protect the voiceless.

Please sign to make sure peacocks—and all animals—are kept safe, not stolen.