Gangs Of Wild Turkeys Are Terrorizing Massachusetts

#1

Once, long ago, Wild turkeys dominated forests in the Northeast. Recently they seem to have migrated into cities and towns especially in Massachusetts. Foraging is much easier in these urban areas. So much so that they have started to become known as "urban turkeys." They can regularly be seen walking down sidewalks, blocking traffic, pecking shiny things, chasing small pets and sometimes even attacking humans.

#2

People might laugh at the thought of getting beat down by a turkey but animal experts stress that wild turkeys are much stronger and volatile than the ones that make their way to our table on Thanksgiving. Males are the most aggressive, not shying away from attacking people as a means to ascend the pecking order. Turkeys don't consider humans as anything more than a competitor so you have to be cautious when you see one.

#3

The chief of information and education for the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, Marion Larson, told local news: “Turkeys may attempt to dominate or attack people that they view as subordinates, and this behavior is observed most often during the breeding season." When confronted by an aggressive turkey, Larson recommends that you charge at the bird flailing your arms around while yelling "like a weirdo" instead of responding back with violence.

#4

David Scarpitti, a renowned biologist, said: “Turkeys don’t really mean to harm people – it’s just tied to their social dynamics within the flock. They lose perspective that humans are humans and turkeys are turkeys. They just want to assert dominance over anything.”

#5

As a general rule, police in Massachusetts are not allowed to remove troublesome wild turkeys, but in 5 out of 137 calls involving aggressive turkeys, the birds were so violent that police had to shoot them to protect public safety. In 2013 there was a strange case of a "deranged turkey" that terrorized a school before it was put down.

#6

Calls about turkeys causing all kinds of mayhem in Massachusetts have rapidly increased in the past 3 years. It has gone from an isolated issue to a constant source of problems for police and health officials.

Brookline history professor, Tess Bundy said: “They’re terrible. Every year they’re worse. I really do think that they’re a menace to the town.”

#7

Another resident of Brookline “They get really up close to you, too. One had me almost cornered, it was really uncomfortable.”

Experts believe that humans are most of the blame for the invasion of the urban turkeys. People leave food out for the birds all the time and this only gives them more reason to settle into neighborhoods thinking it will increase their odds of making it through winter.

#8

People are advised to stand up to the turkeys if confronted. Acting cowardly to the gangs of turkeys will only lead to them attacking. You should step up to the turkey and have an air of confidence about you. If that doesn't work, call MSPCA.