A lone peacock has been roaming the forests of Gray since flying over a perimeter fence at Maine Wildlife Park last month.
The peacock has been missing from the wildlife park since the week of May 18. Despite being nicknamed “George” by residents, Marie Jacobs, of Friends Of The Maine Wildlife Park, said in a Facebook post that the peacock’s name was actually “Rambo.”
Rambo has spent much of the past month wandering the woods of Thayer Brook Preserve, roughly 5 miles from the park, but has recently moved north toward Shaker Hill.
Royal River Conservation Trust, which manages Thayer Brook Preserve, has been keeping track of Rambo. Stewardship Director Hanae Garrison said the peacock was discovered roaming the preserve by members of the Gray New Gloucester Community Bulletin Facebook group, who have been documenting the bird’s travels since May 21.
Both Garrison and Royal River Conservation Trust Executive Director Chris Franklin praised the resilience of the peacock, which has survived for a month as a non-native species in an environment filled with predators such as foxes, coyotes and bobcats.
“It’s quite an adventure, it’s kids’ book material, seeing a peacock walking around in the woods of Maine,” said Franklin.
The news release from Inland Fisheries and Wildlife said park staff have identified an area where Rambo has been seen, and have set up a feed station and trap. Wildlife park officials are optimistic about their chances of recovering the peacock, who will be placed in a secure area within the park.
The Maine Wildlife Park primarily provides care for native Maine wildlife that cannot be released into the wild, but the park also keeps several domesticated pheasants, as well as three peafowl, to serve as sentries and natural pest control. According to a news release from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, the birds are a holdover from when the land was part of a game farm.
Park officials encourage residents to report sightings to 207-822-6460 during business hours, or 207-295-3255 after hours. Residents are discouraged from attempting to chase down or catch Rambo.