By Lorna Petty

A “visibly unwell” peacock seen roaming the streets of a village for around a year has been rescued and rehomed.

The bird, affectionately dubbed ‘Rodney’ by the community had become a familiar and welcome sight in Vigo, near Gravesend, where he was often seen on driveways and roofs.

But after sightings of a skinny Rodney wandering onto roads and reports of him even being catapulted by children raised alarm bells, a plan was hatched to catch him and take him to the vets.

Dartford Animal Rescue Team (DART), who carried out the rescue, heard concerns from six different residents about the welfare of the male bird.

Ciara O’Hare, who runs the rescue organisation with her sister Rosie, said Rodney had been “straying and suffering” for some time and added that his feathers were in extremely poor condition.

“We usually do wildlife not domestic rescues but we felt we had to step in. He was visibly unwell even before examining him.”

The rescue caused a stir in Vigo as many expressed their upset that Rodney, a popular figure, had been removed from the village.

Ciara explained: “We fully understand people’s love for this peacock and that he is viewed as owned by the community but we need them to understand that his welfare needs must be met.”

“Peacocks are very proud birds, particularly when presenting their feathers during mating season. Rodney’s poor condition meant he was not able to present his feathers and there were no peahens around for him to call to.”

The rescue, although a heart-breaking separation for local residents, will see Rodney rehomed in a sanctuary where he can receive the care he needs.

The volunteer organisation took Rodney to exotic specialists, Trinity Vet Centre in Maidstone where a peacock specialist identified him as significantly underweight with snapped, brittle and malformed feathers.

Although no permanent damage has been done to Rodney’s ability to grow feathers, he will not sprout any new plumage until next Spring, due to the cycle of feather-growth for his species.

His rescue had received pushback from several residents of Vigo with some raising concerns over the rescue method chosen.

However, Ciara sought to reassure villagers it had been conducted “clean and stress-free”.

“You can either catch a big bird with a net or by hand,” she explained. “To catch a bird by hand it would have to be cooperative with you approaching and laying hands on it.

“If it’s stressed the best thing is to use the net.”

She said the particular net chosen was “perfectly sized” to make sure Rodney couldn’t flap and cause himself damage or stress.

Addressing calls for Rodney to be returned to the village, the volunteer said “releasing a peacock into the wild is actually illegal” adding that they are not native to the UK and face many struggles.

Rodney will now start his new life at the The Retreat Animal Rescue Farm Sanctuary in High Halden, Ashford.

The retreat welcomes visitors, so those who were attached to Rodney will be able to go and see him there once his quarantine period is over and he is welcomed among his new feathered friends.

DART has worked with the sanctuary since its inception and the team is confident the retreat’s sprawling fields are “absolutely the best place” for him.

He will receive ongoing care and will be with his own species alongside ducks and chickens as part of the 200 animals looked after at the centre.

Ciara says DART are grateful to the members of the community in Vigo who allowed the rescue to happen by raising concerns about Rodney’s welfare.

And Rodney is not the first lonely bird this year to start a new life at the retreat after being rehomed from the streets.

Earlier this year, a rowdy peacock spotted “roaming” the streets and hopping onto houses and fences for more than six months was rescued with the help of the same organisation.

Saataj, as he was called, was later taken to the same retreat Rodney is destined for, where he has been introduced to the other peacocks and peahens.