Wild Turkeys Attack Woman During Night Walk in Alameda

A group of wild turkeys attacked an elderly woman during her evening walk in Alameda, causing serious injuries that required medical attention.

Mary Jo Kelly, 83, a resident of the Bay Area, recounted her frightening experience from last Thursday when she was unexpectedly charged by two turkeys from behind, knocking her to the ground.

“I hit my head and broke my glasses. I hurt my palm and thumb, and my nose started bleeding,” Kelly explained, visibly shaken.

The aftermath of the attack left her with noticeable bruising on her face that lingered for about a week.

After the ordeal, Kelly immediately called her husband, who hurried to help her, arriving in an ambulance. Medical professionals performed a CT scan and stitched up her injuries, which included six stitches on her right hand.

Disturbed by the incident, Kelly has urged local authorities to take action before someone else gets hurt.

She reported the incident to the Alameda Police Department, only to find out they couldn’t assist since it involved a wild animal.

“If a dog bites you, they’d respond right away. It seems like they’re ignoring the issue because it’s a wild turkey,” Kelly expressed her frustration.

Emily Crum, an animal control officer with the Alameda Police Department, mentioned that they currently have no way to remove the wild turkeys. She noted that this time of year, during their breeding season, the birds may exhibit more aggressive behavior. She also mentioned that a turkey had previously attacked a domestic dog.

Despite her newfound fear of turkeys, Kelly is determined not to let this experience confine her indoors indefinitely. For the time being, she is opting to stay closer to home and steer clear of any turkeys she may encounter.

“It was pretty scary, to be honest. I felt a bit shocked, and I’m hesitant to go far,” she admitted.

This isn’t the first instance of turkeys causing trouble in the area. There have been previous reports of aggressive turkeys, with one notable case from 2020 where wildlife experts donned disguises to capture a particularly troublesome turkey.

The bird, dubbed Gerald, had been causing chaos in the neighborhood for months, attacking visitors at a local rose garden. Residents shared stories of the turkeys charging at them, scratching and pecking relentlessly.

It took significant effort by Wildlife Emergency Services Director Rebecca Dmytryk, who disguised herself as an elderly woman and used treats to lure Gerald before successfully capturing him. Eventually, he was released into a more suitable environment near Orinda.