JANESVILLE, Wis. (WMTV) – Wild turkeys are attacking people in a Janesville neighborhood, chasing postal workers, blocking traffic and even going after children.
Janesville neighbor Lawrence Meyer caught one incident on camera showing wild turkeys chasing down a postal worker.
Meyer said his 8-year-old son became a target while crossing the street.
Wild turkeys are attacking people in a Janesville neighborhood, chasing postal workers, blocking traffic and even going after children.(WMTV)
“As he was approaching, crossing the street, the turkeys started chasing after him,” Meyer said. “It’s scary. Like these are big birds. They’re as tall as my son. When they fluff their feathers, they’re scary. They’re huge to an 8-year-old.”
Meyer said the turkeys have become a nuisance in the area.
“I love wildlife. At first, the turkeys were cool. They brought life to the neighborhood,” Meyer said. “As it’s developed, they’ve become a nuisance. They block traffic, they’ve caused accidents, they went after my mailman.”
“It’s more of a rarity than it is common,” Cotter said.(WMTV)
Jason Cotter, wildlife biologist for Rock County with the Wisconsin DNR, said the situation is unusual.
Experts say wild turkeys flock together during the winter, which is why they might be more noticeable this time of year. Yet, Cotter said this flock seems more aggressive than usual.
“It’s more of a rarity than it is common,” Cotter said. “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.”
Cotter said birds naturally gravitate toward urban areas because it’s easier for them to get food. Aggressive behavior is how they assert their dominance.
Wild turkeys aren’t uncommon in Wisconsin, but the aggressive behavior is unusual, according to the DNR.(WMTV)
Cotter recommends making yourself look bigger to assert dominance and combat aggressive turkeys.
“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,” Cotter said.
Walking backwards while facing the turkeys as you get away can also help.
Cotter said with enough persistence from residents, the turkeys should move on.
Meyer started a petition to remove the turkeys from the area. The petition now has 70 signatures.
“I’m not asking as a snobby person to get rid of these turkeys,” Meyer said. “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 DNR said they’ve contacted USDA Wildlife Services about the situation. If it doesn’t get better, they can remove the birds and relocate them.
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