AGAINST ALL ODDS
Durham wildlife rescuer says removing the arrow will be a difficult task
Turkey found walking around Durham with arrow stuck through its chest,
A local resident is spending a large portion of his summer trying to help a wild turkey that’s been illegally shot with an arrow.
The bird is a regular of the Thickson’s Woods nature reserve in Whitby.
Resident Alan Brochu sees his share of nature on his property, which is surrounded by the reserve.
He keeps a kiddie pool in his yard so the wildlife can drink.
“They need a source of water just like everybody else,” he says.
Brochu has a pair of regular turkey visitors, which he has named the “Terrible Twosome,” after their antics toying with people coming through the nature area. Brochu chuckles as he recalls the time he caught the pair chasing people riding their bicycles.
The birds often stop by his property in the area for hours at a time, along with another turkey duo.
But on June 2, one member of the Terrible Twosome was spotted with an arrow right through its chest.
Brochu has contacted many agencies, some seeming unconcerned, others suggesting they shoot the bird, but some wishing to help.
Brochu and wildlife rescuers see no need to shoot the bird.
“He’s healthy as can be. He’s drinking, he’s eating, he flies,” Brochu says.
“When you’re surrounded by conservation you get to appreciate it more. All we have to do is get the arrow out.”
If the arrow is not removed, it can eventually lead to blood poisoning, says Stefanie MacEwan, founder of Soper Creek Wildlife Rescue.
“We’ve spent at least 50 hours trying to catch this turkey,” she says. Since the bird can still fly and it’s not sick enough, the arrow is not causing enough damage to ground the turkey, which would allow rescuers access.
“He also has a friend with him who is very aggressive,” MacEwan says.
The turkey needs to be anesthetized right away, X-rays have to be taken and a proper examination needs to be conducted, before the arrow is removed.
“Everyone seems to think it’s as simple as pulling the arrow out,” MacEwan says. “Well it’s not.”
The rescue is “very complicated,” she says. Even damage can be caused in a kennel if the ar- row is caught on anything.
Brochu says the birds are used to his voice, but any time someone new tries to help, they flee the area.
This also messes up their routine, and the turkeys are not as predictable following their attempted capture.
“Once he gets spooked, that’s it for a day or two,” MacEwan says.
Another rescuer, as well as a turkey farmer, have offered to help try to catch the turkey so the arrow can be removed.
A veterinarian has offered to assist once the bird is caught.
Local wildlife rescuer Kelli Polsinelli asks the public not to chase or corner the bird if spotted.
She plans to scope out the property and make a game plan for the turkey’s safe capture and its eventual release back into the wild. “We still have time,” she says. Danielle Johnson, manager of shelter operations at the Humane Society of Durham Region, says the organization is aware of the situation.
“We are doing all that we can to offer any help and support that is needed,” she says.
People can call Soper Creek Wildlife Rescue at 905-442-1648 with any sightings.