Peacock party takes pride of place in nod to decades of turbulent history
UN Geneva welcomed five peacocks from India, continuing a 45-year tradition of keeping the birds on its grounds, with four blue and one rare white specimen now settling into Ariana Park.
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The United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG) received five peacocks—four blue and one white—as a gift from India, reviving a tradition that began in 1981 when Prime Minister Indira Gandhi donated a breeding pair. The birds will initially reside in a temporary aviary in Ariana Park, UNOG’s European headquarters, before being released to roam freely within the enclosed grounds for the next three months. UN Geneva Director-General Tatiana Valovaya highlighted the symbolic significance of the donation, noting the birds’ colors align with the UN’s emblem.
India’s Ambassador to the UN, Arindam Bagchi, emphasized the cultural and diplomatic importance of the gesture, stating the donation preserves a long-standing tradition of keeping peacocks at UN Geneva. The birds, all males, were transported under veterinary supervision in a specially equipped ambulance to ensure their safety. Dr. Tobias Blaha, Director of Geneva Bioparc, described the park as an ideal habitat due to its mature trees, shade, and grassy areas, though he acknowledged challenges posed by local predators like foxes and martens.
The new arrivals join a solitary surviving peacock that has rarely been seen in recent years, raising concerns about their survival in the park’s open environment. Dr. Blaha noted that young peacocks often perch too low, making them vulnerable to ground predators, and stressed the need for careful monitoring to ensure their safety. Despite the idyllic setting, the birds’ inexperience in such a large space presents a practical challenge for their caretakers.
UN Geneva Facilities Management Officer Laetitia Menin explained that the all-male group, hatched this year, is expected to establish a stable hierarchy, reducing the likelihood of conflict as they mature. The tradition of keeping peacocks at the site dates back to 1890, when Swiss archaeologist Gustave Revilliod bequeathed his estate to the city. Historical records suggest the park once housed a menagerie including deer and bears, though there are no current plans to reintroduce these animals.