County to install signs after boy attacked by peacock in Apopka park

APOPKA, Fla. — A young boy was attacked by a peacock at Magnolia Park in Apopka on Tuesday.

County officials said three peacocks approached a woman and her young son, and one of them pounced on the boy, cutting his head and scratching his face with its claws.

The boy was taken to CentraCare and is OK.

Orange County Parks and Recreation workers said it has also had issues with the peacock’s pecking people’s cars.

The peacocks see their reflection and go after it, thinking it’s another bird.

There are no plans to remove the peacocks, but since the attack was the second time a child has been hurt by one of the birds, the county immediately installed signs to warn park goers.

The signs read, “Please use caution. Wildlife may become dangerous and or aggressive.”

The signs are temporary until the county makes sturdier, permanent ones.

The parks and recreation department urges park goers to take pictures of the birds from a distance.

The county hopes people will stop feeding the peacocks, because that makes the animals more comfortable around people.

Cox Media Group