Six baby turkeys rescued from drain

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MILLVILLE, N.J., June 26 (UPI) -- Six baby turkeys spotted in a storm drain were rescued through the efforts of workers from three municipal departments, an official at New Jersey hotel said.

Kevin Winter, director of sales for the Fairfield Inn in Millville, said hotel guest Michael Mata of San Antonio, Texas, spotted the six poults huddled in the drain while walking with his family Monday morning and Public Works employee Chris Finch and Animal Control Officer Anthony Cills responded to the scene, The (Millville) Daily Journal reported Tuesday.

Finch opened a storm grate to allow Cills to jump in and rescue four of the turkeys, but two of their siblings fled down different pipes to avoid capture.

The men opened two more manholes to try to reach the young birds. They even tried a turkey-calling smartphone app and Public Works supervisor Michael Stevanus' turkey-calling device in an attempt to lure them.

They were finally able to nab one of the two remaining turkeys, but the last one remained on the loose until Millville Fire Department Engine 30 arrived and used a hose to flood the fugitive toward the opening.

The Cumberland County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said the mother of the birds could not be found, so arrangements would be made for them to go into wildlife rehabilitation.