By SANDY McGEE

MENDON — After about a week looking for some summer loving, a wandering peacock is now safely back home at Southwick’s Zoo. 

An Indian blue peacock, which wandered off the zoo’s property about a week ago, was returned to the animal sanctuary safely on Saturday.
Zoo officials received a call Saturday from a local resident, who said the bird was spotted outside a house near East Hartford Avenue in Uxbridge. The zoo’s veterinarian traveled to the Uxbridge residence, subdued the peacock with a tranquilizer dart and safely transported it back to the zoo on Southwick Street.
The peacocks at Southwick’s freely roam the grounds and usually wander around the zoo’s parking lots. This particular peacock has been known to stroll down the road and return a short time later.
Zoo officials believed the bird, described as “very colorful with greens and blues in different shades,” was just seeking a mate.
“It’s breeding season right now,” said Betsey Brewer, one of several directors for the zoo. “He is just looking for his long lost love.
“They (peacocks) are pretty good at protecting themselves. They haven’t gone anywhere on the roads. He’s been sticking to the woods. They are so used to the traffic at the zoo that they move away from the cars.”
Police in both Uxbridge and Mendon received many phone calls this past week by area residents, who reported various sightings of the exotic bird.