Residents of a Coon Rapids mobile home park have found themselves in a peculiar battle with an unlikely foe—a wild turkey that has terrorized the neighborhood for nearly three years. The lone bird first appeared around Thanksgiving in 2021 and has since refused to leave, becoming increasingly aggressive toward the park’s residents.
Rachael Gross, a long-time resident of the park, described how the bird’s presence has disrupted her daily life. “This turkey has literally taken over our life,” Gross said, sharing that she now lives in fear of stepping outside her home. The turkey has developed a strange attachment to her property, frequently lurking near her door and even chasing her on occasion.
Other neighbors have similar complaints, with many stating that the turkey’s once harmless behavior has turned into an ongoing nuisance. Several residents report being attacked or startled by the bird when walking through the park, with one man describing how he had to fend it off with a broom.
Despite numerous efforts to shoo the turkey away, it continues to stalk the area, its aggressive behavior escalating over time. Local wildlife officials have been contacted but have yet to remove the bird from the area. According to experts, wild turkeys can sometimes become territorial, especially during mating season, and their boldness around humans can increase if they become accustomed to their presence.
For now, the residents of the Coon Rapids park are left to find creative ways to avoid their feathery neighbor, hoping for a resolution before the next holiday season.
