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TEKS: 6.5B

Turkey Takeover

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From Massachusetts to Maine, there are too many turkeys! New England’s turkeys were almost extinct 50 years ago because of overhunting and habitat loss. So in the 1970s, conservationists began transporting wild turkeys from New York to rebuild New England’s population.

But now, flocks of turkeys are wandering New England, taking over backyards and harassing mail carriers. “It’s gone from a conservation success story to a wildlife management situation,” says wildlife biologist David Scarpitti.

So what do you do if wild turkeys stand between you and your mail? Scarpitti says the answer is simple: Show no fear, and definitely don’t feed them!

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