Turkey Terrorizes North Carolina Elementary School
Poor test scores, bad food…these are problems that normally face an elementary school. Alston Ridge in Cary, North Carolina has a more unique problem. The school is being terrorized by a very territorial wild turkey.
You laugh, but have you ever had one of these on your tail? I remember playing a golf course at Myrtle Beach once during turkey mating season. Apparently, the fowls love next was literally adjacent to a fairway. I got too close (unknowingly). A wild turkey may not be able to fly, but they are fleet a foot for sure! Video still exists somewhere of me running for my life with a 7-iron in my hand. Anyway, my point is territorial turkey in an unexpected place is not a surprise to me.
Parents at Cary, North Carolina’s Alston Ridge Elementary School has just such a wild turkey that has planted his flag, so-to-speak, in the carpool line. The turkey (referred to as “Mr. Tom”) refuses to give ground and has been pecking any car or person who dares get too close.
Cary Animal Services posted this explanation on its Facebook Page. “It’s breeding season and the male birds get a little rowdy and territorial. Male turkeys compete for dominance with other turkeys and may also try to prove their toughness to people! They will stand their ground or even chase when being ‘asked’ to move along. They will peck at glass, cars, or anyone or thing they perceive as a threat. This turkey would sit in the middle of the road and not move for cars.”
Alston Ridge Elementary School Principal Niko Schutte may one day be recognized for being one of the leading educators and innovative administrators of his time. Maybe. As for now, however, he’ll be forever remembered as the dude who was chasing the wild turkey out of the parking lot with and umbrella.
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