Turkey terrorizes apartment complex
Published: March 28, 2008 at 5:31 PM
WHITE BEAR LAKE, Minn., March 28 (UPI) -- Workers and residents at a White Bear Lake, Minn., apartment complex say an ornery turkey has been attacking them and damaging their cars.
Residents said most of the turkeys that wandered into the area last fall are docile and even friendly birds, but one 20-pound turkey has been chasing children and last week tackled and attacked 250-pound maintenance man Pete Wright, the St. Paul (Minn.) Pioneer Press reported Friday.
Wright, 52, who is not a small man at 6 feet, 2 inches, said the aggressive land fowl knocked him over and began beating him mercilessly with its wings.
"Those wings hurt," he said.
Residents said they fear for the safety of their children in the area, and no outside location is considered safe so long as the bird is at large. Apartment manager Kelly Wright said she has been given permission to capture or humanely kill the offending turkey, but it has so far eluded her attempts.
Bryan Lueth, a state wildlife supervisor, said the turkey has likely become aggressive due to the start of mating season.
"The increasing day length is getting their hormones fired up," he said. "One turkey is dominant. He starts to identify people as turkeys."
Residents said most of the turkeys that wandered into the area last fall are docile and even friendly birds, but one 20-pound turkey has been chasing children and last week tackled and attacked 250-pound maintenance man Pete Wright, the St. Paul (Minn.) Pioneer Press reported Friday.
Wright, 52, who is not a small man at 6 feet, 2 inches, said the aggressive land fowl knocked him over and began beating him mercilessly with its wings.
"Those wings hurt," he said.
Residents said they fear for the safety of their children in the area, and no outside location is considered safe so long as the bird is at large. Apartment manager Kelly Wright said she has been given permission to capture or humanely kill the offending turkey, but it has so far eluded her attempts.
Bryan Lueth, a state wildlife supervisor, said the turkey has likely become aggressive due to the start of mating season.
"The increasing day length is getting their hormones fired up," he said. "One turkey is dominant. He starts to identify people as turkeys."
© 2008 United Press International. All Rights Reserved.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
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