DUNFERMLINE’S popular peafowl population is down to two after its most famous bird passed away last week.

Clive, the town’s oldest peacock and believed to be around 20 years of age, had been receiving treatment for a problem with his legs, which were affected by arthritis, but sadly did not survive.

The birds, which have the ‘Freedom of the City’, are a much-loved part of Pittencrieff Park but two have now been lost this year.

In March, we reported that a white peahen had to be put down and now, with just one peacock and one peahen left in the park, Central Dunfermline Community Council are drafting a “wellbeing” plan for their welfare amid fears for their future.

The male peacocks and female peahens have a long history with the Glen, stretching back to 1905 when philanthropist Henry Beveridge returned to Dunfermline from India and gifted it its first birds.

For many years, Clive was the Glen’s only peacock but numbers went up, and a new sanctuary opened last year as part of a wider £1.6 million project to restore Pittencrieff Park to its former glory.

Community council chairman Jim Stewart said: “A number of years ago, Central Dunfermline Community Council took up the plight of the town’s peacocks.

"We succeeded in having the ‘run’ in the Glen updated and Clive was soon joined by two new ladies – Henrietta and Louise. 

“A later addition was the white peacock, Spirit, but we now only have two peacocks in town – Louise the peahen, and the last peacock. We feel that the main cause of peacock demise is irresponsible dog owners.

"There used to be local by-laws stating that all dogs should be kept on a lead when in Pittencrieff Park but this can no longer be enforced.

“In recent years, council workers have looked after the birds on an informal/voluntary basis and, were it not for the efforts of one individual, the town’s peacocks would have disappeared long ago.

"Financial cuts now mean that park staff have neither the time nor resource to be able do this, and on that basis, the future isn’t looking too great for the Dunfermline birds.

“Central Dunfermline Community Council and Caroline Copeland (author of a book raising funds in aid of the peacocks) have teamed up with Fife Council, Friends of the Glen and Dunfermline Delivers to draft a ‘wellbeing’ plan for the town’s peacocks.

"We will have a visit from a consultant who will advise on the suitability of the roost and what needs covered for the continued health of the peacocks. 

“The funds we have available will be spent here and on how to communicate that there are peacocks roaming the Glen to dog owners, as they may simply not know.”

Confirming Clive’s death, John O’Neil, parks, streets and open spaces manager with Fife Council, said they had no evidence of any bird being injured or killed by dogs but added: “The wellbeing of our existing peafowl must remain a priority for us.

"Fife Council is committed to working with others, including the local community council, to ensure that peacocks remain in the park, and are kept in healthy and in safe conditions. We support local community groups in promoting the wellbeing of these majestic birds.

“There is still a peahen and a peacock in Pittencrieff Park and we continue to work with the local community to ensure the continued presence of the locally-loved peacocks.”

The community council is seeking volunteers to help look after the birds and can be contacted on Facebook or by emailing cdunfcc@hotmail.com.