Wild Turkeys Captured In Wauwatosa Had Become Aggressive: City

WAUWATOSA, WI — The city of Wauwatosa removed three aggressive turkeys lingering around a grocery store on Wednesday, according to Eva Ennamorato, communications manager with the city.

The turkeys have been congregating for years around Wauwatosa and near Outpost, 7000 W. State St.

"At first, we didn't have an issue with the turkeys, however they eventually became more aggressive towards our customers," said Margaret Mittelstadt, director of Outpost community relations.

The turkeys blocked the entrance of Outpost and cornered people in their cars. Mittlestadt told Patch the aggression grew to the point of turkeys attacking and chasing customers.

Outpost wasn't the only business in the area to complain, said Dan Hirchert, state director of USDA Wildlife Services.

"This is not an uncommon conflict as turkeys have acclimated to urban/suburban environments over the last decade," Hirchert said.

The DNR informed Outpost that the birds kept returning due to people feeding them. Staff handed out information to customers about not feeding wild animals and how to manage a turkey encounter.

"We even posted signs out in front of our stores not to feed the turkeys," Mittlestadt said.

Hirchert agreed the situation arose because of supplemental feeding.

"Wauwatosa residents with good intentions think they are helping turkeys get through the harsh winter, but turkeys will associate the handouts with humans and then eventually approach unsuspecting passersby," Hirchert said.

People have hurt themselves trying to get away from aggressive turkeys and Canada geese, he added.

'Not A Popular Decision'

The city's Department of Health made the decision to manage the wild turkeys. The city could only relocate the birds within the city limits, and city officials determined there was no safe place to move them. So, the city hired a wildlife relocation company to humanely trap and euthanize the birds, Mittlestadt said.

Hirchert said three of the five turkeys captured were taken to a meat processor for the meat to go to local food pantries.

It is not clear what happened to the other two turkeys.

"We understand that this may not be a popular decision, but we want to stress that supplemental feeding of wildlife can have consequences," he said, urging the public to keep wildlife wild.