As a viral video of what appeared to be a large wild cat roaming city streets circulated social media in July, the possibility of a mountain lion in Rochester became a spectacle to local residents.
Whether a mountain lion lives among us or not, 19thWard residents in southwest Rochester say they have a very real wild animal roaming their neighborhood — a wild turkey.
“Unlike the unverified mountain lion, our turkey can be seen daily,” said John DeMott, a 19th Ward resident. “Today, the turkey was on Brooks Avenue enjoying roadkill for breakfast.”
According to sightings, the turkey can be found in the Genesee Valley Park area and along Genesee Street, Scottsville Road, Elmwood Avenue, Burlington Avenue and Brooks Avenue. The turkey has taken on many names — Kevin, Terrell, Thadeous and more —as residents have taken it upon themselves to name it. “What a delightful surprise it is every time I see him,” said Karen Emerson, a 19th Ward resident.
Social media reacts to wild turkey in 19th Ward
Wild turkey often spotted, but mountain lion sightings unconfirmed
Memes of a mountain lion appearing at businesses and events around the city flooded residents’ social media feeds in July after the video emerged of a large creature walking near East Main Street and Culver Avenue in Rochester. News coverage was plentiful. Later in July, Greece Police Department officers conducted a neighborhood canvass after reports of a possible mountain lion sighting in that town and were unable to find physical evidence — such as tracks or fur — to confirm the animal’s presence there.
— As a Rochester native, Justice Marbury entered the world of journalism to create work where voices like hers were heard—the voices of minority communities. Marbury covers small businesses, neighborhood concerns, and the interesting people who live in Rochester neighborhoods. As the 19th Ward reporter, she has helped implement community outreach ideas by asking what people in various communities want to read about themselves in addition to regular news. Contact her on Instagram @justice_marbury and by email at jmarbury@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Forget the mountain lion: This wild turkey is the real star in Rochester’s 19th Ward
Reporting by Justice Marbury, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
