News Summary
A peacock that escaped from the Chattanooga Zoo was successfully recovered thanks to the efforts of local residents and swift action from zoo staff. The bird wandered into downtown Chattanooga on May 1, 2025, leading to a community-wide search. After several sightings, local resident Eric Spear spotted the peacock and alerted the zoo, enabling staff to safely return the bird. The zoo plans to keep the peacock indoors for a while and has taken measures to prevent future escapes.
Chattanooga – A peacock that escaped from the Chattanooga Zoo was found and returned safely to the facility, thanks to the efforts of local residents and swift action from zoo staff. On May 1, 2025, it was reported that the peacock had wandered into downtown Chattanooga, prompting a community response to locate the bird.
The Chattanooga Zoo conducted a routine daily count of their peafowl and confirmed that all peacocks and peahens were accounted for earlier that day. However, later in the afternoon, two peacocks exited the zoo grounds and made their way into a nearby parking lot. While one of the peacocks was successfully captured and brought back to the zoo, the second one traveled further afield and could not be located immediately.
Zoo officials emphasized that it is extremely rare for a peacock to leave the zoo. In fact, they have not lost a peacock in over 40 years of allowing these birds to free-roam within their enclosure. Jake Cash, the Director of Marketing and Communications at the zoo, highlighted the unusual nature of this incident, which drew the attention of the community.
Multiple sightings of the missing peacock were reported by residents in the vicinity of the zoo, sparking interest and concern. The zoo encouraged people to report any sightings while advising against chasing or attempting to capture the bird, as this could frighten it and complicate efforts to retrieve it.
On May 2, local resident Eric Spear spotted the escaped peacock while out walking his dog. Recognizing the peacock from the alerts issued by the zoo, he promptly sent a direct message to the zoo via Instagram, which facilitated a quick response from zoo staff. They promptly arrived at the neighborhood where the peacock was spotted, managing to retrieve the bird without incident.
The peacock was safely returned to the zoo, where it will undergo a thorough veterinary check-up to ensure its health following its adventure outside the zoo. In recognition of Eric Spear’s helpfulness in locating the bird, the zoo awarded him a membership to express their gratitude for his efforts in finding and reporting the animal.
Currently, the zoo plans to keep the peacock indoors for a while to monitor its well-being after its unexpected outing. The zoo staff has taken precautions to prevent any future escapes and ensure the safety of all the peafowl. This event serves as a reminder of the connection between the zoo and the local community, demonstrating how residents can play a key role in animal welfare.
Despite this incident being an unusual event for the Chattanooga Zoo, the response from the community and the quick action taken by the zoo contributed to a positive outcome for the escaped peacock. With the bird now back at home, zoo officials hope to mitigate any future escapes and continue to educate the public on the care of their animals.
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Additional Resources
- Local 3 News: Peacock Loose in Downtown Chattanooga
- Wikipedia: Peacock
- News Channel 9: Feathered Fugitive on the Loose
- Google Search: Chattanooga Zoo Peacock Escape
- WDEF: Peacock Loose in Downtown Chattanooga
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Peacock
- Times Free Press: Unlikely Icon – Highland Park Sculpture Reflects
- Google News: Chattanooga Zoo Peacock
Author: STAFF HERE CHATTANOOGA WRITER
The CHATTANOOGA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREChattanooga.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Chattanooga, Hamilton County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Riverbend Festival, Chattanooga Oktoberfest, and Moon River Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Chattanooga, plus leading businesses in manufacturing, insurance, and utilities that power the local economy such as Volkswagen Chattanooga, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, and EPB. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREKnoxville.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
