Wild Turkeys Chase Kids, Block Traffic in Janesville
Residents of a Janesville, Wisconsin, neighborhood have petitioned for the removal of a turkey flock after repeated aggressive encounters.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Wildlife
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Should wild turkeys be removed from neighborhoods where they block traffic and chase kids?
Wild turkeys in a Janesville, Wisconsin, neighborhood have chased children and a postal worker and blocked traffic. Resident Lawrence Meyer started a petition seeking the flock's removal, which had 70 signatures at the time of reporting.
Why it matters
The incidents have raised safety concerns for pedestrians and drivers in the area, and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has contacted USDA Wildlife Services about the situation. Wildlife officials say the birds could be relocated if conditions do not improve.
The reported evidence consists of resident accounts and a petition with 70 signatures at the time of reporting. The size of the flock and the number of documented accidents have not been established.
The players
Lawrence Meyer
A Janesville resident whose eight-year-old son was chased by turkeys and who started a petition calling for the flock's removal.
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
The state agency responsible for wildlife management in Wisconsin, which has contacted USDA Wildlife Services about the Janesville turkeys.
USDA Wildlife Services
The federal program within the U.S. Department of Agriculture that manages wildlife conflicts, including nuisance animal removal and relocation.
Jason Cotter
A wildlife biologist based in Rock County, Wisconsin, who explained that aggressive turkey behavior is a way for the birds to assert dominance.
The details
Turkeys flock together in winter, which makes them more noticeable, and they move toward urban areas where food is easier to find. Meyer's eight-year-old son was chased by turkeys while crossing the street, and Meyer recorded birds pursuing a postal worker.
Timeline
Winter: turkeys flock together, making them more noticeable in the neighborhood.
November 9, 2026: article published on the turkey incidents and the petition.
Wildlife Conflict Context
When nuisance birds become aggressive toward people, state wildlife agencies typically coordinate with USDA Wildlife Services, the federal program that handles removal and relocation. In Janesville, that coordination has begun, and relocation is being considered only if the behavior does not improve.
Janesville residents who walk or drive through the affected neighborhood should be cautious around the flock, particularly where children are crossing streets. Pedestrians and drivers should expect possible traffic interruptions while the turkeys remain in the area.
The takeaway
Keep a safe distance from wild turkeys, especially during winter when flocks gather and can behave aggressively. Report repeated encounters to your local wildlife agency so officials can assess the situation.
Further reading
For related coverage of animal encounters, explore more in our Wildlife section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Times of India.
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Should wild turkeys be removed from neighborhoods where they block traffic and chase kids?
