By Tim Binnall
A family in a small Illinois town says that they are being tormented by a territorial turkey that has become such a troublesome presence in their lives that they have even given him a name: Karl. According to a local media report, the bellicose bird has been a problem in the village of Rockton since around March when he arrived alongside two other gallivanting gobblers. While his companions continued onward in their journey, it would seem that Karl took a liking to the small town and decided to stick around, much to the chagrin of residents who have since run afoul of the fowl that has begun targeting people and cars unlucky enough to cross its path.
Particularly peeved by the truculent turkey is one family that has found itself in the bird's crosshairs on multiple occasions. "I've been watering the flowers, minding my own business, like 8:00 in the morning, and here comes Karl," recalled Tashawna Long, "he'll run up to you, and then he'll stop and he'll act like he's pecking the ground. And then he'll take off right at you." Her daughter, six-year-old Xiley, shared a similarly unsettling experience wherein the bird chased her into the family's garage. Beyond the Longs, other Rockton residents expressed mixed feelings about the bird. Some have dismissed Karl's quarrelsome reputation, while others have echoed the family in wishing he would leave the town.
Rather than sit back and hope for the best, Tashawna has attempted to take on the turkey by reporting the bird to various government agencies and officials. However, the effort has so far proven futile and Karl continues to haunt the family and any other Rockton resident who may find themselves in his sights. "Every day I have to look before I go outside," Tashawna lamented, noting that she fears her daughter could have another unsettling encounter with the bird at a nearby playground or even while swimming in their pool. "It’s scary," she said of the situation, "it really is." One can only hope that with the spotlight now squarely fixed on Karl, the turkey will pack his proverbial bags so that the Longs and the rest of Rockton can live in peace.