Wild turkeys chase children and postal workers and block traffic in Wisconsin neighbourhood; resident launches petition seeking their removal

Wild turkeys in a Janesville neighbourhood in Wisconsin have been chasing postal workers, going after children and blocking traffic. Resident Lawrence Meyer says the birds have become a nuisance. He said his eight-year-old son was chased while crossing the street. He also recorded turkeys pursuing a postal worker. He also said the flock had caused accidents in the area.Meyer started a petition to have the birds removed. The birds are more noticeable in winter, when wild turkeys flock together. According to WMTV 15 News, a wildlife biologist described the flock’s behaviour as unusual. Officials said the birds could be relocated if the situation did not improve.How did wild turkeys disrupt daily life in a Janesville neighbourhoodA Janesville resident, Lawrence Meyer, recorded an incident in which wild turkeys chased a postal worker. Meyer also said his eight-year-old son was targeted while crossing the street. He described the birds as large and frightening to a child, saying they began chasing his son as he approached the road.Meyer said, “I love wildlife. At first, the turkeys were cool. They brought life to the neighborhood.”“As it’s developed, they’ve become a nuisance. They block traffic, they’ve caused accidents, they went after my mailman.”What attracted wild turkeys to urban areas in WisconsinJason Cotter, a wildlife biologist for Rock County with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, said the situation was unusual. Wild turkeys commonly flock together during winter, which can make them more noticeable at this time of year. However, Cotter said this particular group appeared more aggressive than usual.He said wildlife officials had heard of flocks in urban areas across Wisconsin, but the Janesville birds had caused a stir among people getting in and out of cars, postal workers, and children going to school.Cotter said turkeys naturally move towards urban areas because food is easier for them to find there. He explained that aggressive behaviour is a way for the birds to assert dominance.How residents were advised to deal with aggressive wild turkeysCotter advised residents to make themselves look bigger when confronted by aggressive turkeys. He said, “Making yourself look bigger, either using your coat, having an umbrella on hand, a plastic black garbage bag that, you know, you can look like you’re a giant turkey.”He said, “It’s more of a rarity than it is common.”“We have heard of flocks in urban areas, obviously around the state, but these particular birds in Janesville have been seemingly causing a stir with folks getting in and out of cars, mailmen, children going to school.”The wildlife biologist described the behaviour as unusual, although he said turkeys naturally gravitate toward urban areas because food is easier to find there.Residents seek removal of wild turkeys over safety concernsMeyer started a petition asking for the turkeys to be removed from the neighbourhood. It had collected 70 signatures at the time. He said, “I’m not asking as a snobby person to get rid of these turkeys.”“I just want to see them thrive in their natural habitat, and I want to see these children be able to thrive in their habitat, or neighborhood if you will, and enjoy themselves without fear of being chased by turkeys.”The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources said it had contacted USDA Wildlife Services about the situation. If conditions did not improve, the birds could be removed and relocated.You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.