Police in Alameda, California, have issued a warning after a series of aggressive encounters with wild turkeys, including an attack on an 83-year-old woman and her dog. The woman required hospital treatment and six stitches after two turkeys attacked her from behind last week.
The Alameda Police Department stated that such behaviour is typical during the spring breeding and nesting season, often linked to male turkeys competing for dominance or protecting their young. Residents are advised to give the birds plenty of space and avoid feeding them.
Wild turkeys, introduced to California in 1959, are not native but are now common in Alameda. They can grow up to four feet tall and weigh 25 pounds. Some residents have reported turkeys blocking roads, pecking at cars, and attacking their reflections in shiny vehicles.
Last December, a man was charged with felony animal cruelty after shooting a turkey with a pellet gun. Wildlife rescue centres in the area treat dozens of injured turkeys each year, often from predator attacks or car strikes.
