Calgary’s Turk the turkey presumed dead in apparent coyote attack

CALGARY — A Calgary turkey named Turk appears to have died.

Avery Maxwell, one of the moderators for a Facebook paged called Loyal Followers of the Ramsay Turkey, says in a post to the group’s 6,500 followers that there’s evidence Turk was taken overnight by a coyote.

The lone male turkey, which has been roaming throughout the inner city since spring 2019, had captured the hearts of many Calgarians.

Residents theorize the bird escaped from an agricultural event at the Stampede Grounds.

His Facebook fan club has kept track of his travels through several communities and mourned his apparent death Friday.

Maxwell says in the post that she dreaded writing it.

“I’m very sorry to report that there is evidence that sometime in the early morning hours that Turk had been taken by what we believe to be a coyote,” she said Friday morning.

She said she had been contacted by the maintenance crew at Columbus Manor, a seniors home in the community of Bridgeland where Turk had been spending time.

“Needless to say, this is devastating news for all of us,” she said. “I’m personally heartbroken.”

She thanked Turk for providing joy at a time when it’s sometimes hard to come by.

Hundreds of other members of the Facebook group also posted their condolences.

“I am bawling. I loved him so much,” wrote one.

“RIP Turk. You’ll be missed,” wrote another.

“I’m so very sad to read this. I’m crying…over a turkey. Dammit. Rest well Turk. Thanks for bringing some light to all of us,” added yet another member.

(CTV Calgary, The Canadian Press)

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on July 24, 2020

The Canadian Press