MORE than 850 people have so far signed an online petition calling for Chalkwell Park’s peacocks to be freed from their enclosure.

Mica Day from Westcliff started up the petition after visiting the park and learning that four peafowl are still being kept within an enclosure at the park. Peacocks have been kept in the park for decades and were once part of a historic petting zoo within the beauty spot, which also included a black bear named Lulu.

However as all other enclosed animals were freed, the peacocks have remained.

The 25-year-old animal rights blogger wants the birds moved to a more humane location where they can roam freely in a natural and tranquil environment.

So far 854 people have signed the Change.org petition, with signatures coming from local south Essex people concerned about the peakcocks to those living as far away as Spain and Germany.

Mica hopes to collect 1,000 signatures before presenting the petition to Southend Council.

Find out more via www.change.org/p/southend-council-free-the-chalkwell-park-peacocks