The owner of dozens of peacocks abandoned without food in a
rented garden in Fragrant Hills Park in Beijing says he hopes to
eventually continue his business.
Two breeders at the site's Peacock Garden left on January 5,
leaving the peacocks, which number about 160, uncared for.
One of the birds has since died of starvation, and concerned
visitors to the garden have taken it upon themselves to feed the
animals. Some have even offered to take some from the owner to
raise at home.
Garden owner Xiao Ruopeng, from east China's Zhejiang Province,
confirmed yesterday that his employees departed from the garden due
to his dispute with the park.
He signed a six-year contract to open the garden, which expires
on February 14, and has been told it will not be renewed.
Low pay and the current concerns over bird flu also contributed
to the pair's departure, he said.
Xiao, of the Lupu Animal Breeding Farm in Zhejiang's Yuhuan
County, said he had spent about 350,000 yuan (US$43,160) in buying
the peacocks and building the 600-square-metre garden on a slope of
the park.
Although he said he could get net profits of between 20,000 yuan
(US$2,470) and 30,000 yuan (US$3,700) a year, his investment has
still not be covered, he said in an exclusive interview with
China Daily.
"The park has told me they will not renew the contract with me
when it expires on February 14, which means I can't get my
investment back."
The park also ordered a temporary closure order on the Peacock
Garden on November 21 because of bird flu fears.
"I have not been able to get any income because of it," Xiao
said, adding that he had to spend 400 yuan (US$50) to 500 yuan
(US$62) a day in feeding the birds and paying the employees.
"I just cannot continue the current operation at the moment," he
said.
He said that all the peacocks in the garden are the blue
species, which, unlike the green variety, are not under protection
by the State.
Xiao initially bought 220 peacocks in late 1999, each adult male
bird costing 2,500 yuan (US$312) while the female birds were priced
at 2,000 yuan (US$250) each, but some have since died.
According to the contract, the park supervises the garden
business operation and animal epidemic prevention, while Xiao owns
the peacocks.
Xiao said: "I hope my business can still continue."
There have been no officials from the park available for comment
over the contract dispute.
Public help
Wang Bing, an office chief of the park's management division,
revealed media reports of the birds' plight led to members of the
public bringing food.
The park has so far accepted 100 kilograms of millet, Chinese
sorghum and rice, the Beijing Morning Post reported.
One female visitor, surnamed Li, told the Beijing Youth
Daily that she hoped to be able to take some of the birds
to raise in her 100-square-metre backyard.
When told of the offer, Xiao said: "I will arrange these things
after my dispute with the park is settled.
"But I still hope my garden can stay open."
Medical tests showed the peacock that died was suffering with
hunger as well as an inflammation of the intestines.
Fragrant Hills, with a history of more than 800 years as a
resort, covers 160 hectares in western Beijing.
(China Daily January 19, 2006)?