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Mar 28, 2008 8:26 pm US/Central
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Turkey Causing Troubles In White Bear Lake
WHITE BEAR LAKE, Minn. (WCCO) ―
Some east metro residents say they have quite a problem on their hands. They're dealing with some angry birds. Turkeys to be exact, and ornery ones at that.
The fowl are creating trouble for residents at the Park Avenue Apartments in White Bear Lake.
The birds at Park Avenue apartments aren't just wild turkeys. One resident jokingly called them "attack turkeys."
It sounds funny, but for those living in the area, the turkeys gone wild are no longer laughable.
"My daughter was walking on the sidewalk and one jumped on her and attacked her. Now she's scared to go outside and play," said another resident.
Manager Kelly Wright caught the gobbling goons on her camera phone. They usually come out late in the afternoon. They've become much more than a nuisance. One knocked down and tried to beat up Maintenance Manager Pete Wright, and he's 6'3".
"I fell to the ground, you know, and that big turkey was right on top of me beating me with its wings and pecking at me," said Wright.
Wright tried to get away, but the hormone crazed bird chased him on top of his car and he had to drive away.
"They don't give up and that's the problem. They will not quit."
Now Pete carries a stick to battle birds and protect the tenants.
"We have ladies here with children, and we have a lot of little children. That's what we're worried about right now is their safety, because if they can keep me down, they're going to be able to take someone else down."
The birds may be becoming more aggressive because of breeding season.
The managers of the building contacted the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for help, but the DNR said they lack the resources to remove the birds. They did, however, issue a permit for the capture or killing of one of the birds, though there are now four aggressive males.
The DNR added that though rare, cases like these are becoming more common as wildlife becomes more accustomed to people.
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