Troublesome turkey twosome causing flap
Port Colborne city hall staff advises people to just ‘avoid them’
A debatably dangerous duo of turkeys has run ‘afowl’ in Port Colborne, with officials from city hall asking residents to avoid the wild birds if spotted.
Social media posts began circulating over the weekend about how a troublesome pair of turkeys had been intimidating people who were walking near Vale Health and Wellness Centre on the city’s east side.
There is a large woodlot behind Vale Centre which appears to be home to the turkeys, however, they have also been venturing out to the walking path that runs along Elizabeth Street leading south from the facility.
Laurie Babcock said she was walking along that path when she tangled with the troublemaking turkeys.
“I was minding my own business, out on a lovely day taking a walk, and right out of the bush those two vicious, aggressive, mean turkeys approached me,” wrote Babcock on Facebook, hers being one of several social media posts about the birds.
“They trapped me along the path for over 45 minutes. A nice gentleman stopped by in his truck and tried to scare them away but they turned on him as well.”
Ward 4 Coun. Harry Wells lives nearby and he, too, has encountered the turkeys. But he’s had no issues with them thus far.
“They do tend to be attracted by people in the area. I’ve had them follow me for over a quarter of a mile,” said Wells. “They weren’t vicious or attempting to attack me or anything. They just seem to follow me along like puppies.”
Despite the conflicting reports about them being aggressive or friendly, the city’s chief administrative officer, Scott Luey, said staff is looking into relocating them.
“We did receive a service request about the turkeys,” said Luey. “I’m talking to staff to see if there’s some kind of humane relocation potential.”
In the meantime, he said it’s best to avoid the turkeys.
“People should avoid them if they can,” said Luey. “If we can work on some kind of humane relocation, we’ll make that happen.”