An 83-year-old Alameda woman was left bloodied and in need of stitches after being attacked by wild turkeys while on her evening walk.
Details of the Attack
Mary Jo Kelly, a longtime resident of the Bay Area, said she was walking last Thursday when two wild turkeys ambushed her from behind, causing her to fall headfirst to the ground. She broke her glasses, injured her thumb, and suffered a bloody nose. The attack also left severe bruising across her face that was visible for days afterward.
Kelly’s husband rushed her to the hospital, where doctors performed a CT scan and treated her injuries, including six stitches on her right hand. The frightening encounter has left Kelly shaken and demanding action from city officials to prevent similar incidents.
Response from Authorities
Kelly contacted the Alameda Police Department to file a report, but officers informed her they could not take one because the incident involved wildlife. Emily Crum, an animal control officer with the department, explained that the city currently cannot remove the turkeys.
She noted that spring mating season can make the birds more aggressive, and a turkey recently attacked a pet dog.
Crum advised residents to avoid approaching the birds, cross the street if needed, keep dogs on a leash, and maintain a safe distance from any turkeys.
Community Concerns and Past Incidents
Despite the attack, Kelly plans to continue walking, staying closer to home and steering clear of turkeys. Alameda residents are aware of past incidents, including a notorious turkey nicknamed Gerald that terrorized Oakland’s Morcom Rose Garden in 2020.
Gerald charged, jumped on, and clawed visitors for months before wildlife experts successfully trapped and relocated him.
Rebecca Dmytryk, director of Wildlife Emergency Services, disguised herself as a frail elderly woman and used food to bait Gerald, ultimately capturing the aggressive bird and releasing him onto wild land near Orinda.
