West Hartford Animal Control is urging drivers to look out for a turkey often spotted near the intersections of Albany Avenue and North Main Street or Trout Brook Drive.

By Ronni Newton

A feathered West Hartford resident has now gained celebrity status, particularly since taking on the self-appointed role as “Director of Traffic Flow” in the Bishops Corner area – and becoming the subject of one of the witty posts on the West Hartford Animal Control Facebook page this week.

Dubbed the “Jaywalking Turkey” by the person (whose identity remains secret) who writes the engaging and hilarious Facebook posts for West Hartford Animal Control, residents have many other nicknames for the Bishops Corner’s ubiquitous turkey – including Wishbone, Fatty, Jay, OG Gobble, and even Kevin. The latter was the name of the infamous Wethersfield turkey who was captured and relocated in December 2017. According to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), Kevin the Turkey of Wethersfield Kevin “was transported using a National Wild Turkey Federation box to a safe location and released on a Written Promise to Continue eating plenty of roots, bulbs and leaves.”

Jaywalking Turkey, who is often sighted near or actually in the intersections of Albany Avenue with Trout Brook Drive or North Main Street “ignores traffic signals, walks like it owns the roadway, makes eye contact with drivers like you’re the problem, has absolutely zero concern for rush hour.”

Animal Control said they don’t believe the turkey is lost, “it’s just committed to chaos.”

All joking aside, that chaos can – and does – result in a dangerous situation on busy West Hartford roadways. Animal Control is working with the state’s turkey biologist to come up with a solution to the situation that’s “safe and appropriate,” but exactly what that solution is has not yet been determined. “We have been advised that relocation is not on the table. If and when a solution is achieved, we will definitely let everyone know,” Animal Control commented on the recent Facebook post.

Comments on the post also included photos of the turkey waiting for the crosswalk in Bishops Corner, and perched on top of a car outside Target.

Animal Control urges motorists to use caution when approaching the intersections where they turkey is often seen, to slow down and be prepared to stop. “Do NOT attempt to chase, scare, or ‘reason’ with the turkey (trust us… it won’t work),” the post states. “Give it space – it’s living its best life, just unfortunately in traffic.”

The turkey brings “zero training and full confidence” to its role as Director of Traffic Flow, and according to Animal Control:

• “It appears to be conducting random ‘driver patience tests’ during peak hours;
• “If you think you have the right of way… think again. The turkey disagrees;
• “We cannot confirm, but it may be working on issuing citations for ‘excessive honking;
• “Several motorists report being stared down like they just failed a background check.”

For now, the turkey will continue to coexist with those who frequent the Bishops Corner area.

The advice of West Hartford Animal Control: “Drive safe, stay alert, and watch for pedestrians… especially the feathered ones.”

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