A FAILURE to rehome caged peacocks will be Southend Council condoning animal cruelty, it has been claimed.

Labour councillor Julian Ware-Lane will table a motion to the council next week calling for the peacocks to be removed from Chalkwell Park.

He believes the enclosure is far too small, with the animals unable to display their plumage due to the lack of space, with the cage often dirty.

He said that the condition the birds live in gives the impression of neglect.

During the summer, two chicks were hatched, but one was unfortunately killed by its sibling.

The council had been completely unaware of the presence of chicks.

He said: “This is a clear example of wholly inadequate accommodation.

“I am not criticising what we have done in the past, but times have changed, as have society’s views. What we had in the past, would now be considered horrific in terms of animal welfare. We are just holding on to the dying embers of the menagerie.

“These large birds are usually seen roaming free on large estates and zoological gardens, and I cannot recall another example where these birds are caged.There are a number of issues, but it boils down to size largely. It is not appropriate, and it really is not okay.

“We have to ask what is in the best interest of the animals? And the answer is that they must be rehomed. If this motion is tabled to the council, and they do nothing, it is giving animal cruelty the green light.”

The park currently houses four peafowl in an enclosure. Originally there was just two.

Peacocks have been kept in the park since the 1950s, possibly earlier, as part of a petting zoo which once included monkeys, goats and eventually even a bear.

Although over the years the other animals have been removed, the peacock enclosure has remained.

The motion, set for a meeting on December 14, reads: “We call upon the council to uphold the highest standards with regards to animal rights. To this end we want the four peafowl housed in the Chalkwell Park menagerie to be moved to somewhere more suitable. There has been offers of new homes, and we call upon the council to fully investigate these. We urge the council to expedite a move to a more humane home with utmost speed to end this example of animal cruelty.”

A spokesman for Southend Council said: “The welfare of the peafowl is very important to the council and they remain popular with the many visitors to Chalkwell Park.

“The peafowl enclosure was refurbished in 2016 and is in good condition and suitable for the number of birds housed within it. All the peafowl at Chalkwell Park have been bred in captivity.”