Turkey in Colorado Springs follows woman’s car in strange standoff

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Colorado is known for its wildlife, but Hannah Savarese wasn't expecting this encounter to be a turkey in a store parking lot.

Savarese says the whole thing happened while she was leaving Target on Cheyenne Mountain Boulevard. She looked across the street and was met with her opponent: a supposedly famous local turkey.

"I was waiting to turn and across the street, there's this turkey," Savarese said. "[It] makes direct eye contact with me from across the street and beelines it towards my car."

The turkey, whom Facebook comments refer to as Tommy, is apparently somewhat of a local menace. When Savarese first posted her story on social media, several people responded, saying he frequents the area where she ran into him.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) told KRDO13 it's not particularly odd for turkeys in urban areas to lose their fear of humans or cars and act the way this turkey did. They warn people not to encourage the animals, and keep any birdseed or pet food secured.

Savarese says the turkey was very vocal, responding to her when she tried to engage with it. But as she sat in the parking lot, the turkey refused to back down. She says it started pecking at her car tires, and every time she tried to move, the gobbler went with her.

"I had my hazards on and I was trying to get away from the turkey," Savarese said. "I didn't want to run [it] over or have someone else hit [it], but he was just gobbling along and he was really adamant on going after my car."

Savarese says she found the whole encounter funny, especially when the turkey starting running after her car full sprint when she finally made her escape. She says it was hard to tell whether the animal was trying to be friendly or not.

"It was a very unique, weird way to act for a turkey," Savarese said. "Usually they just do their own thing, they have their flock and they do their own turkey thing."

CPW says when they receive reports of turkey-human interactions, they start by evaluating its behavior to see if it is causing any immediate risk to human safety. If there is aggressive action, they ask people to report it to CPW immediately.

CPW says they have relocated turkeys in the past in problem areas, but say the behavior is generally short-lived and not a risk to humans. They told KRDO13 they don't keep a full record of these reports, but it is an annual thing.

But on the bright side of it all, it appears the turkey's pecking didn't actually cause any damage to Savarese's car.

Now, Savarese is saying she wants others to be aware of the turkey, especially as it seems to remain active in the area. She says part of the reason she posted her encounter on Facebook was to send a PSA to others who might run into the bird.

"I just worry for his safety," Savarese said. "He seems like a cool bird; I don't want anything to happen to him."

CPW warns people that if a turkey is approaching them while outside, back away slowly while facing the bird. They say NOT to turn your back on it.

Savarese says even though she was held up by the encounter, she urges others to use caution and see the best in the situation.

"It's just such a funny situation," she said. "Just see the best in it and realize [it's] a turkey. Just doing [its] own turkey thing in [its] own little weird way."

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