West Hartford drivers are urged to be cautious with a wild turkey frequently crossing busy intersections. Local officials are working on safe solutions.
WEST HARTFORD, Conn. — Drivers are now being warned after a wild turkey has been spotted crossing busy intersections in West Hartford.
The turkey has been spotted walking across intersections like North Main Street and Albany Avenue and Trout Brook Drive and Albany Avenue.
“I got closer; it was a turkey just in the middle of the lane,” said Becky Schoenfeld, of Bloomfield.
She drives through West Hartford often, but was shocked when she first saw the bird. She says she first spotted the turkey at the intersection of North Main Street and Albany Avenue earlier this year.
It’s not just drivers who’ve seen this wandering turkey around town recently. Gloria Johnson says she enjoys seeing the turkey while she’s taking walks around her neighborhood.
“It’s not aggressive, it doesn’t pay anybody any mind,” said Johnson, who thinks it’s best that people just leave the animal alone.
“Most of the time, I stand up and I say, ‘Look at that turkey,’ and it goes across here and across here and disappears,” Johnson added.
In a Facebook post earlier this week, West Hartford Animal Control personnel alerted people about potential turkey sightings. They encourage people to be prepared to stop when they see the bird.
They also say not to attempt to chase or scare the turkey.
Schoenfeld says she’s always extra cautious when she sees the turkey.
“I stop a little bit of a distance from it with my flashers on to let people know behind me that there’s something going on up here,” said Shoenfeld.
Those with West Hartford Animal Control say they are working with the state’s turkey biologist to come up with safe ways to help the bird.
In the meantime, they ask drivers to be patient with their feathered friend.
Alyshia Hercules is a Multi-skilled Journalist at FOX61 News. She can be reached at ahercules@fox61.com.
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