Two breeders at the site's Peacock Garden left on January 5, leaving the peacocks, which number about 160, uncared for.

One of the birds has since died of starvation, and concerned visitors to the garden have taken it upon themselves to feed the animals. Some have even offered to take some from the owner to raise at home.

Garden owner Xiao Ruopeng, from east China's Zhejiang Province, confirmed yesterday that his employees departed from the garden due to his dispute with the park.

He signed a six-year contract to open the garden, which expires on February 14, and has been told it will not be renewed.

Low pay and the current concerns over bird flu also contributed to the pair's departure, he said.

Xiao, of the Lupu Animal Breeding Farm in Zhejiang's Yuhuan County, said he had spent about 350,000 yuan (US$43,160) in buying the peacocks and building the 600- square-meter garden on a slope of the park.

Although he said he could get net profits of between 20,000 yuan (US$2,470) and 30,000 yuan (US$3,700) a year, his investment has still not be covered, he said in an exclusive interview with China Daily.

"The park has told me they will not renew the contract with me when it expires on February 14, which means I can't get my investment back."

The park also ordered a temporary closure order on the Peacock Garden on November 21 because of bird flu fears.

"I have not been able to get any income because of it," Xiao said, adding that he had to spend 400 yuan (US$50) to 500 yuan (US$62) a day in feeding the birds and paying the employees.

"I just cannot continue the current operation at the moment," he said.

He said that all the peacocks in the garden are the blue species, which, unlike the green variety, are not under protection by the State.

Xiao initially bought 220 peacocks in late 1999, each adult male bird costing 2,500 yuan (US$312) while the female birds were priced at 2,000 yuan (US$250) each, but some have since died.

According to the contract, the park supervises the garden business operation and animal epidemic prevention, while Xiao owns the peacocks.

Xiao said: "I hope my business can still continue."

There have been no officials from the park available for comment over the contract dispute.

Public help

Wang Bing, an office chief of the park's management division, revealed media reports of the birds' plight led to members of the public bringing food.

The park has so far accepted 100 kilograms of millet, Chinese sorghum and rice, the Beijing Morning Post reported.

One female visitor, surnamed Li, told the Beijing Youth Daily that she hoped to be able to take some of the birds to raise in her 100-square-metre backyard.

When told of the offer, Xiao said: "I will arrange these things after my dispute with the park is settled.

"But I still hope my garden can stay open."

Medical tests showed the peacock that died was suffering with hunger as well as an inflammation of the intestines.

Fragrant Hills, with a history of more than 800 years as a resort, covers 160 hectares in western Beijing.

(China Daily January 19, 2006)