A normal day on Staten Island may just include getting blocked by a turkey on your commute.
“These turkeys, they’re all over the island,” said south beach resident Ken Martinez. “They block traffic. It’s usually when there’s somewhere you need to be when they’ll block traffic.”
Staten Island’s population of wild turkeys has been a hot topic for many years. Over the years, the turkeys have most famously been known to gather around Staten Island University Hospital on Seaview Avenue.
But some people say they have started to show up on new parts of the island.
“Yes, more than usual on Bard Avenue the last few days there’s been a lot” said local Carol Burns.
“I do feel like there’s more than usual and I feel like I’m seeing them in different neighborhoods now,” added Martinez.
NY1 checked it out for ourselves on Bard Avenue in West Brighton. The turkeys seemed to have taken over the street and even some homes. Michelle Walls pulled over to talk to us after waiting for one to pass.
“Sometimes I carry crackers and throw them in the streets so they go over,” said Walls.
The Department of Environmental Conservation says it became aware of the turkeys on Staten Island in the early to mid-2000s when staff at the hospital and local residents in the neighborhood near the hospital complained about them. Some people we spoke with say the turkeys can be a nuisance.
“They’re very heavy, sometimes they land on the garage and you can hear the sound as they land,” said Burns.
“I’ve seen them standing on cars, causing damage to cars. Paint, their nails scratching it” said Martinez.
“I think they are harmless to be honest,” countered Walls.
In the past, the DEC attempted a program in which the turkeys would be sent to a sanctuary upstate. However, that plan didn’t seem to change things.
Council member Kamillah Hanks represents the north shore of the island. Her office sent a statement saying, “The presence of turkeys on the north shore is a concern for our constituents particularly in the West Brighton area,” and that their office has been in contact with the DEC as they search for solutions to the problem that are safe and effective for both the turkeys and the community.
South Bach resident Ken Martinez says he would like to see a solution, but also thinks the turkeys are a unique part of the borough.
“It seems like the population is getting out of control so maybe the city does need to step in and do something with them, but as far as removing them completely I’d say let’s not go that far,” said Martinez.
