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The Canberra Times
The Canberra Times
National
Lanie Tindale

Death of sixth Narrabundah peacock in 12 months a 'canary in the coal mine'

Some of the peacocks in Narrabundah. Picture: Melissa Adams

The death of another beloved peacock in Narrabundah has been described as a "canary in the coalmine" of dangerous roads.

On Monday morning, peafowl Pindar was just a teenager trying to catch chicks during mating season.

But by 10.30am, he had been found mutilated on the road, becoming the sixth Narrabundah peacock to be killed in 12 months, and the 10th in the past year and a half.

Pindar the peacock was found dead on Monday morning. Picture: Supplied

"He was well-known around the street [for] wandering around and following the girls around him trying to get some interest," Narrabundah Peafowlers spokesperson Timothy DeWan said.

"[But] the girls weren't as interested in the young teenager as they were with the older boys."

Like the other few dozen peacocks in the suburb, two-year-old Pindar was "inquisitive and gentle", and would have enjoyed the company of locals while playing in their yards.

Narrabundah Peafowlers spokesperson Timothy DeWan (right) seen with some of the local Peafowls. Picture: Sitthixay Ditthavong

He was found dead on Finniss Crescent in Narrabundah, which is a short walk from the notorious La Perouse and Carnegie Crescent intersection.

Those streets and the surrounds are the site of most of the other peacock deaths, which the Narrabundah Peafowlers say might decimate the population within years.

The peafowl population in Narrabundah often approach the local children. Picture: Sitthixay Ditthavong

Peacock slow down signs have not prevented deaths, Mr DeWan said.

"These peacocks are the canaries in the coal mine for a much bigger issue, which is the safety of the roads," he said.

'What will it take? Is it going to be the death of a child that ... will be the only thing that will spur them to action?

"We have a primary school in the area, which is Red Hill Primary, and we have a number of old people's homes as well."

The yellow dots indicate the locations of peacock deaths. Picture: Supplied

The Narrabundah Peafowlers met with Transport Minister Chris Steel in March this year over their concerns, but said they haven't heard from the Minister since.

"They said they would undertake a review and based on the review they would undertake some actions to address the safety concerns we've raised. Notwithstanding that [we have] tried to be in touch with him since, it's been very quiet," Mr DeWan said.

Minister Chris Steel did not respond to a request for comment at the time of the publication.

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