Wild Turkeys Chase UPS Driver Through Connecticut Neighborhood
BRANFORD, Conn. — A routine delivery run took an unexpected turn when a UPS driver found himself being chased by a pair of wild turkeys, an incident captured on video by a local resident and quickly gaining attention online. The footage, posted to TikTok by Branford resident Hindy Jaffee, shows the driver attempting to make his deliveries while fending off the aggressive birds that have become notorious in the neighborhood for disrupting traffic and causing a ruckus.
In the video, the UPS driver can be heard exclaiming in frustration as he tries to coax the turkeys away from his delivery truck. “Jesus Christ. I’m 40-years-old, I can’t be dealing with this,” he says, as the turkeys persistently follow him down the street. The driver’s efforts to evade the birds highlight a growing challenge in suburban and rural communities where wild turkeys have increasingly encroached on residential areas.
Wild turkeys, native to North America, have made a significant comeback after near extinction in the early 20th century, thanks to conservation efforts led by agencies such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Their expanding populations have led to more frequent interactions with humans, sometimes resulting in nuisance behavior like blocking roads and chasing vehicles, as reported by Jaffee.
While wild turkeys are protected under various state and federal laws, including the Wildlife Protection Act, their boldness in urban settings poses challenges for local authorities and residents alike. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has noted an uptick in wildlife encounters and advises residents on safe ways to coexist with these animals, recommending not feeding wildlife and maintaining a safe distance.
The viral video sheds light on the unusual but increasingly common conflicts between humans and wildlife in suburban neighborhoods. It also underscores the importance of wildlife management and community awareness programs spearheaded by organizations such as the National Wildlife Federation, which promote coexistence strategies to minimize negative interactions.
As delivery drivers and residents navigate these encounters, the incident in Branford serves as a humorous yet telling example of how wildlife adaptation to human environments continues to evolve. The UPS driver’s experience, now shared widely online, reminds us of the unexpected moments that can arise when nature and daily life intersect in surprising ways.
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