Toddler attacked by peacock at Albuquerque zoo

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - An Albuquerque toddler was attacked by a free-roaming peacock during a visit to the BioPark, leaving a cut on his face.

KOAT-TV reports (https://bit.ly/1PPT9pn ) that the peacock lashed out Wednesday after being surrounded by children.

The boy’s father, Eloy Padilla, says he thinks the bird got the toddler with one claw. He took the boy to Urgent Care.

Zoo officials say the peacock felt cornered.

BioPark manager Lynn Tupa says park visitors sometimes get too close to the birds as they try to photograph their brilliant plumage.

She says park officials are reassessing the practice of allowing peacocks to roam freely.

Tupa says the birds are very territorial, making it challenging to keep them in an exhibit.

In 2013, a free-roaming peacock at BioPark attacked a 2-year-old. She needed stitches.

___

Information from: KOAT-TV, https://www.thenewmexicochannel.com/index.html