ADA, Mich.—A West Michigan family who looks forward to seeing their feathered, wildlife friend was shocked and saddened by what they saw when they put out some seeds for the creature. They saw their favorite turkey that roams through their yard at the same times every day limping. When they looked closer they saw an arrow through the turkey’s leg.
“It broke my heart watching him limp around and hop. I wanted to go and take care of it but I’m not qualified to remove an arrow from a turkey`s leg,” said Katie Golden who enjoys seeing the feathered friend daily.
Kylie says she first spotted the arrow around Christmas time. Kylie and her 6 year old daughter have made this guy part of their daily routine.
“ He comes through the yard at the same time every morning and at the same time every evening, but the limping is getting worse and it`s getting colder so we are extra worried about him,” said Kylie.
Kylie contacted the DNR, and they told her to call a local rehabilitation center. She’s called a couple places, but didn’t get an answer.
Fox 17 contacted Sjana Gordan from Lowell Farm and Wildlife Center who says they get 100 wildlife rescue calls a day, met us at Kylie`s home to see if he would come back at his usual time at dusk.
“It’s very frustrating when you hear or see this because usually it’s by a hunter that is bored, I will put it that way, and that`s disgusting,” said Gordan.
The DNR urges hunters to make a clean kill, and not to leave wounded animals to suffer. In addition, they urge bystanders to leave wild animals alone and to seek the help of a wildlife rehabilitator if they are concerned about a particular animal.
Lowell Farm and Wildlife Center and Kylie are going to keep their eyes out for the turkey in hopes that they will be able to help it in the days and weeks to come.
