“They are all over the place”: Aggressive gaggle of wild turkeys terrorizing 55-and-up community

A large flock of aggressive turkeys are terrorizing residents of an over-55 community in the Holiday City section of Toms River.

News 12 Staff

Nov 8, 2019, 3:26 PM

Updated 1,636 days ago

Share:

A large flock of aggressive turkeys are terrorizing residents of an over-55 community in the Holiday City section of Toms River.
 
According to residents, turkeys in a large flock are blocking their doorways, pecking at cars and behaving aggressively.
Wildlife officials say male "Tom" turkeys can weigh between 16 and 24 pounds and can run up to 20 mph.
"They are all over the place," says Jack Adams, of Toms River. "They're are massive amounts of turkeys in here. I did stop the truck yesterday and they were gobbling, gobbling, gobbling and I bet they can chase some people around."
Others say if you don't provoke them, they won't bother you -- and actually see them as a benefit in the neighborhood.
"They're like traffic cops," says Richard Flecker, of Toms River. "People speed down the highway all the time and instead of speed bumps, we have turkeys."
Drivers are slowing down when the turkeys are crossing the road.
Toms River says its animal control officers aren't licensed to trap the wild turkeys, so State, Fish and Wildlife officials have been made aware of the situation.


More from News 12
1:29
Elmsford School District addresses elimination of DEI director role

Elmsford School District addresses elimination of DEI director role

2:25
Summer feeling with highs in the 80s tomorrow in the Hudson Valley

Summer feeling with highs in the 80s tomorrow in the Hudson Valley

1:22
Pro-Palestinian protests make their way to SUNY New Paltz campus

Pro-Palestinian protests make their way to SUNY New Paltz campus

Guy Fieri to host Cinco de Mayo bottle signing event in Yonkers

Guy Fieri to host Cinco de Mayo bottle signing event in Yonkers

1:33
SUNY officials visit Yonkers to encourage high schoolers to complete financial aid applications

SUNY officials visit Yonkers to encourage high schoolers to complete financial aid applications

Poughkeepsie Police investigate shootings of two teens, shooter at large

Poughkeepsie Police investigate shootings of two teens, shooter at large

 Woman faces charges in assault incident at Yonkers Montessori Academy

Woman faces charges in assault incident at Yonkers Montessori Academy

1:48
Newburgh charity founder faces federal charges, accused of falsely claiming to be a Purple Heart recipient and stealing from the VA

Newburgh charity founder faces federal charges, accused of falsely claiming to be a Purple Heart recipient and stealing from the VA

0:30
Rockland County's American Eel Project underway

Rockland County's American Eel Project underway

0:41
Sen. Gillibrand announces passage of new bill to fight fentanyl crisis

Sen. Gillibrand announces passage of new bill to fight fentanyl crisis

0:53
Health care workers picket outside Phelps Hospital demanding better conditions

Health care workers picket outside Phelps Hospital demanding better conditions

0:50
Westchester county executive announces $3 million allocated to build affordable housing in Mamaroneck

Westchester county executive announces $3 million allocated to build affordable housing in Mamaroneck

0:33
Changes to recreational striped bass fishing regulations in the Hudson River

Changes to recreational striped bass fishing regulations in the Hudson River

0:39
DEC: Bloomingburg taking ‘corrective action’ to fix major sewage leak into Shawangunk Kill

DEC: Bloomingburg taking ‘corrective action’ to fix major sewage leak into Shawangunk Kill

0:32
Suspect arrested in fatal shooting at unlicensed cannabis store in Mount Vernon

Suspect arrested in fatal shooting at unlicensed cannabis store in Mount Vernon

0:20
Arrest made in Spring Valley stabbing case

Arrest made in Spring Valley stabbing case

0:31
Putnam County man killed in crash following pursuit

Putnam County man killed in crash following pursuit

0:51
Westchester County allocates $3 million for affordable housing in Mamaroneck

Westchester County allocates $3 million for affordable housing in Mamaroneck

2:07
Traffic Alert: Speed limit reduced to 25 mph in White Plains

Traffic Alert: Speed limit reduced to 25 mph in White Plains

0:35
Westchester County issues warning regarding phony contractors

Westchester County issues warning regarding phony contractors