
Dozens of peacocks and peahens believed stolen from Northern California hotel
After a customer at the Ryde Hotel mentioned Sunday seeing two men grabbing one of the birds and putting it inside a cage on the bed of a pickup truck, the staff did a count and realized only four of their exotic birds remained, David Nielsen, the hotel's general manager, said.
'We're not sure why anyone would do anything like this, but the staff is absolutely heartbroken,' Nielsen said.
Authorities are investigating the case as a property crime. The male birds are valued at $2,000 each and the peahens at $1,000 each, said Sgt. Amar Gandhi, a spokesperson at the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office. He didn't share any additional information.
The owner purchased five of the birds to wander the grounds 14 years ago. They reproduced 'to the point that they became a signature of the hotel,' Nielsen said. Peacocks are common in Art Nouveau design.
Staff fed them leftovers of filet mignon, prime rib and salmon, and over time, the birds became tamer. They got used to people, and the employees began seeing them as pets, even naming some of them.
Rafe Goorwitch, the hotel's catering coordinator, said he fed a group of about 15 peafowls twice every day. He named the biggest one Alibaba, Baba for short, because he would walk through the hotel like he owned the place.
'I joked with the owner that we worked for Baba because he would walk through the dinner rooms, the ballrooms and the garden with this attitude that he was the boss,' Goorwitch said.
Peacocks tend to be aloof, but Baba 'became like a dog,' he said.
Since the news about the missing birds became public, people have been calling the hotel with tips and possible sightings, including reports of neighbors with new peacock pets, Nielsen said.
Hotel staff are hoping the birds are found and returned home. For now, the hotel has added better and more surveillance cameras, and there are plans to add more fencing.
'They really meant a lot to us,' Nielsen said.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


CBS News
13 minutes ago
- CBS News
"We've seen encouraging signs of recovery": 11 injured in Michigan Walmart stabbing steadily improving
The conditions of the 11 people who were stabbed at a Walmart in Traverse City, Michigan, are steadily improving, medical officials said Sunday morning. As of 9 a.m., four people are in serious condition and seven are in fair condition, according to Munson Healthcare. "Over the past 12 hours, we've seen encouraging signs of recovery from our patients," the northern Michigan-based company said in a written statement. "Our dedicated team of physicians, surgeons, nurses, clinicians, and support staff remain focused on providing a healing environment for all those affected by this tragic incident." The company added that it's working to provide emotional support for Walmart employees impacted by the attack. According to the Grand Traverse Sheriff's Office, a 42-year-old man entered the Walmart around 4:43 p.m. on Saturday, and used a folding knife to stab five males and six females. The ages of the people stabbed are unknown. A sheriff's deputy was at the store "within minutes" and took the man into custody. People at the store assisted law enforcement in apprehending the man, according to the sheriff's office. The FBI is assisting with the ongoing investigation, according to Deputy Director Dan Bongino. "Violence like this is unacceptable," Joe Pennington, a Walmart spokesperson, told CBS News in a statement on Saturday. "Our thoughts are with those who were injured and we're thankful for the swift action of first responders." The sheriff's office and officials with Munson Healthcare are planning to provide an update on the incident at 2 p.m.


CNN
14 minutes ago
- CNN
Bystanders confront man after 11 injured in Walmart stabbing
A 42-year-old suspect was taken into custody after deputies responded to a stabbing at a Walmart in Traverse City, Michigan, on Saturday, Grand Traverse County Sheriff Michael Shea said. Seven of the eleven victims are in fair condition and four are in serious condition as of Sunday morning, according to Munson Healthcare.


Fox News
16 minutes ago
- Fox News
Jonathan Turley: Ghislaine Maxwell 'appears to be untapped as to her account'
A 'Fox News Sunday' legal panel weighs in on the Epstein case as Ghislaine Maxwell sits for an interview with the DOJ, the Russia collusion hoax revelations and the investigation into former President Biden's mental acuity.