Why did the turkey cross the O-Train track?

There have been several turkey sightings in Ottawa this week, including in residential neighbourhoods and on the LRT tracks. CTV’s Tyler Fleming reports.

Passengers waiting for the O-Train at Carleton University had some unusual company at the station Wednesday morning – a turkey.

Troy Dexter sent CTV News Ottawa video of a wild turkey walking along the O-Train Line 2 track near Carleton University at about 7:20 a.m.

‘The train was late, but the turkey was right on time,” Dexter said.

OC Transpo said the turkey did not cause any delays on O-Train Line 1.

“Birds are frequent across OC Transpo’s system,” an OC Transpo spokesperson said in an email.

“Most larger animals that could cause damage to vehicles and infrastructure during a collision are restricted by fencing and gates. Smaller animals, especially fowl, generally do not affect service. OC Transpo has protocols and procedures in place for our staff to report animal sightings and to respond to potential service impacts associated with wildlife, if necessary.”

OC Transpo passengers are allowed to bring small pets onboard the O-Train, but the pet must be in a pet carrier at all times.

In June 2023, a two-foot-long pet ball python prompted the temporary closure of a platform at Hurdman Station while staff and a passenger searched for the snake. It had escaped from the owner’s backpack.

Turkeys around Ottawa

There have been several wild turkey sightings around Ottawa so far this spring.

River Ward Coun. Riley Brockington says residents are looking for ways to coexist with wildlife after concerns about aggressive animals, including wild turkeys, in parts of the city.

Brockington held a meeting Tuesday night aimed at helping residents navigate encounters with urban wildlife like turkeys, coyotes, foxes and rats.

In neighbourhoods along Prince of Wales Drive near the Rideau River and in parts of the city’s south end, some residents say flocks of wild turkeys have become a regular, and sometimes unwelcome, presence.

“There’s two toms that are strutting their stuff, it’s mating season,” says Jim Hagerman, who estimates about half a dozen birds frequent his street.

“They’re pets around here in some ways, but some of the neighbors aren’t too happy about them.”

Others say the birds can be intimidating.

“I haven’t really had that much of a problem with them,” says Arn Snyder.

“But I can understand why people are concerned because they are big birds. The city and wildlife expert did a great job presenting the other night and what they suggest is that you make sure there’s no seeds that fall to the ground. In our case, we’re just going to stop feeding the birds at this point in time so we don’t attract, not only, turkeys, but some of the other wildlife.”

Brockington says the city has heard increasing complaints.

“These turkeys take the cake. They go after people at bus stops. They are by your car when you arrive home. They’ve come after delivery drivers,” he said.

“We’re at the point, though, where I do believe these turkeys need to be relocated. We are not able to coexist successfully because of how aggressive these turkeys are.”

Still, some residents say the key is staying calm.

“If you’re afraid of them, I think they sense it and they’ll come towards you,” Hagerman said. “But if you just ignore them, everything’s fine.”

With files from CTV News Ottawa’s Tyler Fleming

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