Turkey trouble in Castlegar leads to creation of unique road signs

Why did the turkeyscross the road?

In thetownof Castlegarno one knows for sure, but folks did realize the birds were becoming a growing hazard, especially ontheir daily traverse ofHighway 3.

So the city councilcommissioned a local shop to maketwo "Turkey Crossing" signs after learning no such signs were commercially available.

City councillor SueHeaton-Sherstobitoffsays drivers seem to be paying attention to the new signage.

"You know our tag line forCastlegaris happy ever after," Heaton-Sherstobitoff told CBC. "We take care of ourneighboursand whydoesn'tthat included our featheredfriends."

Between 30 and 40 wild turkeyshave taken roost in a vacant lot beside Highway 3, and locals report seeingthem cross the roadup to four times a day.

Unfortunately wild turkeys which can fly, unlike their domestic cousins are not very good at avoiding speeding cars.

The car-bird collisions haven't turned out well for drivers either.

"When they got hit they actually came up and cracked people's windshield," said Heaton-Sherstobitoff."So it started to be a serious safety concern."

Wildlife-vehicle encounters are nothing new in the West Kootenay town, although untilrecentlyit's been elk and deer that have presented the biggest risk.

The turkeys, which are not native to the Castlegar area, were introduced to the northern U.S. and Canada in the 1960's in the hopes of growing aviable hunting population.