Hello Everyone!

I just wanted to give a quick update about the meeting I had today with the heads of the Parks & Rec department. They were both very nice and we had a good conversation regarding the peacocks and the city's plans. Here is what I learned:

• They do NOT have an accurate count of the flock, as there has been no banding-therefore, it is impossible to know if the same bird was counted multiple times
• There WILL be some going to Texas A&M for behavioral studies. I have been assured this is safe for the birds, but I am still on the fence with how I feel about these guys being plucked from living free range and beautifully to being penned and studied. 
• The contract with Raptor has NOT been signed. Therefore, we have time to figure out better solutions for these guys that will benefit ALL parties.
• They said they considered a trap, neuter, release program, but say they couldn't find anyone to perform those services. I am currently looking for someone willing to do that, if you have any resources, please email me StacyDamitio1776@gmail.com
• They aim to just have 30 birds in the park. (This makes them VERY vulnerable to predation, especially during breeding season. Peacocks are not only prey for coyotes and other four legged animals, they are also prey to raptors, which we have in the area)

I was at the park last night at 8pm with flashlights and an extra set of eyes, we counted 74 of them. We walked the perimeter of the library and used flashlights to look in the trees. By this point in the evening, all peafowl are roosting, therefore, I think that is a closer approximation of the peafowl census in the area. 

Members of the community have begun clean up efforts at and around the library. We have had folks out three times this week to clean. We are beginning a sign up sheet and schedule for volunteers to come out clean, if you would like to be part of the clean up efforts, please email me: StacyDamitio1776@gmail.com 

Thank you all for your support! Please continue to email and call council members and let them know we wish to retain our current numbers of peacocks within the park, as they are long standing piece of our culture and history, and they deserve to be in the only place they've ever called home.