Beloved Peacocks Vanish from Historic Delta Hotel, Sparking Criminal Investigation
A beloved group of peacocks that have roamed the grounds of the historic Ryde Hotel in Walnut Grove for decades have suddenly vanished, prompting an investigation by the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office.
Hotel staff noticed the birds disappearing over several days, eventually realizing 37 of the 40 peacocks were gone.
“These birds have been part of life here for generations,” said David Nielsen, the hotel’s general manager, to KCRA. “The entire staff is devastated.”
The peacocks were known for their quirky presence, often strutting through the lobby or ballroom. One bird, affectionately named “Alibaba,” had become a local icon, treated more like royalty than a hotel fixture. There is growing concern that the birds may have been stolen for cockfighting or sold illegally. With individual peacocks valued in the thousands, their disappearance is being treated as a felony property crime.
“These are not just birds. They’re family,” said catering coordinator Rafe Goorwitch. “It doesn’t feel like the heart of the Delta right now.”
The hotel has since installed new surveillance cameras and is urging anyone with information to contact the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office. As the investigation continues, the Ryde Hotel staff remains hopeful their cherished peacocks will return home.
