Peacocks are a Village problem

The Longboat Key Town Commission has no problem shelling out $2,400 a year to the Longbeach Village Association for peacock removal services.

The commissioners just don’t want the town handling the issue.

At its Monday, March 1, regular meeting, the commission voted to give Longbeach $2,400 for a second consecutive year.

But there are about 60 peacocks in the Village right now because a vacant home the Village used to trap the birds is currently being rented.

Town minutes reflect the town has helped financially in the past keep the number of birds down to one dozen.

Commissioner Gene Jaleski, a Village resident, notified Village President Michael Drake at the meeting that a Manatee County Nuisance Wildlife Removal service would remove all but 12 of the birds for $2,200. The service will use nets and vacant land to trap the birds.

Jaleski also said the removal service has suggested using a type of food to feed the birds that neuters them and helps limit their mating capability.

Town Manager Bruce St. Denis was happy to hear Jaleski had a solution for the rising bird population and the town wasn’t getting involved in the process itself.

Said St. Denis: “I don’t want the town to get involved in giving contraceptives to peacocks.”

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected].