Have You Seen The Mentor Turkey?
The turkey can be seen at Routes 306 and 84 and on the property of a welcoming Mentor family
Photos
Have you noticed a red-faced, thick-feathered, 45-pound turkey occasionally approaching traffic at the intersection of Routes 306 and 84?
A woman whose family lives near the busy crossroad has noticed much more in the months since the wild turkey coincidentally began wobbling and gobbling around the property two weeks before Thanksgiving.
"He crows in the morning by 8 a.m. if he doesn't hear movement from us," homeowner Mona Cramer said. "I don't know if he's trying to make sure everything is OK, but he watches us as much as we watch him."
Cramer said the turkey, whom her family has dubbed "Mr. Gobbles," only began venturing into traffic about a month ago. Before that, he would roam around her yard or take a stroll down Eastmoor Road, which is a block away from the Cramers' home.
Like many days, the turkey sat atop Mona's green van for hours on Wednesday. When he approaches traffic, he seems to wait for red lights, Cramer said.
That could be why there was more laughter than concern on the part of Mentor City Council members and officials when councilwoman Carolyn Bucey asked a question about the turkey at the regular meeting Tuesday night.
"If you're going north on 306 and you want to take a left on 84, she will not move," Bucey said. "I'm wondering if she can be relocated ... she's quite large. It's kind of comical, in a way, to watch people's reactions."
City Manager Kenneth Filipiak was not aware of the turkey before Bucey's mention, but joked that he would not "advise (council) to take on a turkey management program." He said that natural resource staff members on the city could look into the matter.
Cramer — who insisted the animal was a male and that its sex had been verified by visitors from Lake Metorparks and the Ohio Division of Wildlife — said that won't be necessary.
The Ohio Division of Wildlife worker came to check on the family this past weekend, but ultimately decided to leave the animal alone after learning that the Cramers had no issue with its presence.
"He's fine, he's healthy and he's not bothering us," Cramer said. "He does want to know where people are going, I'm convinced of that. "If it's rush hour, he'll prance himself out there, stand on one leg and watch (vehicles) go this way and go that way.
"He looks at people through the glass. He's just incredibly curious."
Councilman Scott Marn referenced a News-Herald article that suggested that the turkey could be looking for mate.
"It might not have any luck at 306 and 84 — it's not like a singles bar," Marn said.
Cramer said people trying to catch Mr. Gobbles is the one element of his long-term residency that is no laughing matter.
"I see people out there with bare hands and no cage, nothing, trying to catch him," she said. "I say, 'really? Do you think he's going to sit in the back of your car in a seat belt and behave?
"It's a wild animal."
ellen
1:39 am on Thursday, March 7, 2013
I've seen him and he's cute! Someone from church told me about him and I thought she was crazy but he's there atop that green van of theirs. I hope the city leaves him alone and just lets him be. If they family is okay with him hanging around why do anything? The family has contacted wildlife officials and they've said to let him be. So Mentor, hands of this wildlife!
ellen
1:50 am on Thursday, March 7, 2013
(spelling! sorry. "The" family, and hands "off".)
Leocadia Sigl
8:09 am on Thursday, March 7, 2013
Knowing Mentor they'll hire a Swat team and first try to kill it with a Bow, if that doesn't work they'll shoot and kill it
...They shoot Deer don't they?
me
11:19 am on Thursday, March 7, 2013
you are a retard
Karen Damm
9:15 am on Thursday, March 7, 2013
My husband told me about him a few weeks back and took me to see him. I nicknamed him Colin, but now I know he has an official name of Mr. Gobbles. We should respect his privacy and leave him be. Bless his adopted family for taking care of him. Very Sweet
Mentorite
11:04 am on Thursday, March 7, 2013
I look for him on my way home from work everyday. One day I saw one of the homeowners open the door to the van and he walked right over there to see what they were doing...so cute. If the homeowners have no problem with him sitting on their vehicles, leave him alone.
beth d
2:28 pm on Thursday, March 7, 2013
There is something going on there now, with the turkey wildlife van, cop car, i saw someone with a net. I guess hes ether getting taking away or going to jail. Who knows.
ellen
3:12 pm on Thursday, March 7, 2013
What's going on? Please keep us informed if you can. I hope they aren't hurting him. Poor thing.
Nancy G.
2:51 pm on Thursday, March 7, 2013
I saw him before the news media released their stories. I thought he was cute and friendly. My worry was he might be too friendly and some idiot would take advantage of that.
Dorsey
6:40 pm on Thursday, March 7, 2013
Perhaps someone can donate a sign alerting people to watch out for him as he does venture into traffic at that busy intersection. I go by everyday hoping to see him and know that he is OK.
Karl Hubrath
6:08 pm on Friday, March 8, 2013
I would like to make a comment and a suggestion please. This story reminds of another true story. It was a story about a pet buzzard that was let go near a grocery store. See most wild animals are afraid of humans and they run away from humans. This buzzard was tame and not afraid of humans; it thought that any human that had meat on them was going to feed it. It dive bombed most shoppers. Well that was the story that Penitentiary Glenn gave when I went and took a tour. Penitentiary Glenn rescues wild animals. I hope they could come out and rescue this wild/ pet turkey. Penitentiary Glenn has lots of rescued animals and each one has a story, it is a fun place to visit. Thanks for reading and God bless
Lauren
1:12 pm on Saturday, March 16, 2013
Can they bring him a few females to speed date with? I feel bad for him all alone looking for his one and only...
Barb Spear
2:54 pm on Thursday, March 21, 2013
Most important here is the safety of motorists at this crowded intersection. I have been stopped by motorists afraid to continue driving for fear of running over the turkey. Someone take charge and remove the turkey from the city.
Maureen Shiffler
6:29 pm on Friday, March 29, 2013
Maureen Shiffler
It makes my day to see some wildlife left. With all the habitat destruction (Newell Creek for one) it's a miracle any wildlife wants to hang out in Mentor. Plant a tree this Arbor Day for our turkey or his buddies to roost in.