(Michigan City, IN) - Many residents are expressing displeasure about a recent decision to kill a wild turkey posing a traffic hazard in Michigan City, including taking their dissatisfaction to social media. 

 

A sign reading "Turkey Lives Matter" was placed where the bird had been venturing into traffic at Johnson Road and Michigan Boulevard. Another sign reading, "RIP TOM," with a turkey symbol, was hung on a mailbox. 

 

Conservation officers with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources euthanized the wild turkey after venturing out into the intersection and luring the bird to just off the side of the road.

 

DNR officials said the decision to euthanize was made because the bird was considered a hazard to public safety after repeatedly venturing in and out of the busy intersection for nearly three weeks.

 

Some motorists completely stopped in traffic to avoid hitting the bird. There were even some people who stepped out of their vehicles and into the intersection to try and shoo away the turkey.

 

According to DNR officials, relocating the bird would have likely created a similar problem elsewhere. In addition, DNR officials said the turkey also probably lost some of its ability to survive in the wild after being fed by humans and could have posed a risk of making other wild turkeys dependent on people had it been relocated.