by Kevin Lilly
A turkey-like bird nearly caused several vehicle crashes Wednesday morning when it continually stood on Ind. 25 north of Logansport.
Traffic came to a standstill multiple times as people avoided the bird that has traits of a turkey but seems taller than most wild specimens. Drivers sat in their vehicles waiting for it to move but it wouldn’t. One motorist briefly herded the bird off the highway with a car by driving toward it.
The bird did not seem to be bothered by blaring car horns or recognize the danger of traffic zooming by at 55 mph.
Mike Roth, who lives on Ind. 25, has seen the bird the past four days and is amazed it has not been struck. Wednesday morning as he left for work, he got out of his vehicle and chased the bird off the highway. But, his attempts proved fruitless.
“When I did, it went around the car and came right back on the road,” he said.
Roth witnessed vehicles backed up on the highway in a hilly area where the road curves. He believes the bird is creating a traffic hazard, but he does not want to see the bird killed. He contacted Wildcat Creek Wildlife Center, an animal rescue facility in Delphi.
“I want to try to get something done so the bird doesn’t get killed,” Roth said.
Animal control officer Brian Hyder received reports Tuesday and Wednesday. He thinks it may be a domestic animal because of its behavior and its legs appear to be taller than a wild turkey.
“It’s odd that it’s just that one turkey,” Hyder said.
Hyder plans to visit the area to locate the bird this morning. He is considering his options to capture the animal.
• Kevin Lilly is news editor of the Pharos-Tribune. He can be reached at 574-732-5117 or kevin.lilly@pharostribune.com.
