India Gifts Five Peacocks to United Nations in Geneva

The Government of India donated five young peacocks to the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG) during a ceremony on August 7, 2026. The gift, which includes four blue peacocks and one rare white male, was presented by India's Permanent Representative Arindam Bagchi to Director-General Tatiana Valovaya. The colors were specifically chosen to reflect the blue and white of the United Nations.

The donation replenishes the peafowl population at the Palace of Nations' Ariana Park, which had dwindled to a single bird. This gesture revives a diplomatic tradition from 1981 when Prime Minister Indira Gandhi donated a breeding pair. The practice of keeping peacocks on the estate dates back to 1890, following a requirement set by the property's original owner, Gustave Revilliod.

To ensure a smooth transition, the birds are currently acclimating in a temporary aviary in Ariana Park. Under the care of UN staff and the Geneva Bioparc, the peacocks will remain in secure enclosures for approximately three months before they are released to roam freely across the 46-hectare estate. UN officials intend to launch a public naming contest for the new arrivals.