Several tourists hold a peacock at a wildlife park on the outskirts of Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Photo/screenshot from the Internet)
(ECNS) -- Unruly tourists are suspected of scaring an adult peacock to death at a wildlife park on the outskirts of Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, a local newspaper reported.
Witnesses said several tourists forcefully held a peacock, tried to pluck its feathers, and posed for photos with the frightened bird.
A netizen published four photos online showing the brutal treatment of the bird.
A staff member surnamed Bai at the park said two groups of visitors were found harassing peacocks during the Lunar New Year holiday and that one bird had died.
Bai said the wildlife park prohibited such behavior, but that there were too many tourists that day to control.
The dead peacock was five years old, healthy, and had beautiful feathers.
The park has more than 6,800 peacocks of different colors, a huge attraction for tourists from all over the country.
