Zelda is named after Zelda Fitzgerald (the wife of F. Scott Fitzgerald), because (according to legend) during one of Zelda Fitzgerald's nervous breakdowns, she went missing and was found in Battery Park, apparently having walked several miles downtown. It is presumed that she entered Manhattan's north end from the Bronx in 2002 as a wild turkey fitting her description was first spotted in Riverside Park and then near the American Museum of Natural History and Tavern on the Green. She continued to make her way downtown before finally settling in Battery Park- source Here
Most turkeys live to be six years old, Zelda is 10. She also is a survivor of Hurricane Sandy.
Zelda, who has a turkey-shaped farm in the park designed in her honor, sleeps in a nest in a tree near the playground, high above the park and usually comes down around 6:30 or 7 a.m.
She spends her days exploring and foraging for food, searching the lawns and gardens for seeds, bugs and grubs. She sometimes heads to the nearby Battery Gardens Restaurant, where she likes to admire her own reflection in the glass.
That Zelda is something else! She sure does know her way around to not have gotten hit by a car, bus or something else. Can you imagine people in the Battery Gardens restaurant that are from out of town sitting near the window and suddenly seeing a turkey looking at them? Talk about a shock! That's not something you'd expect to see wandering around the streets there.
ReplyDeleteI take it she just minds her business and leaves people alone-I've heard stories of wild turkeys chasing people.........that would make for some excitement in the park now wouldn't it?
What a cool story!
This is an interesting story. Amazing that a wild turkey would be walking around such a busy area and not get hit.
ReplyDeleteWe had a turkey in this area also. He was seen often in the area where my brother in law lives. He was hit by a car in Jan. I am copying the newspaper article. He was very beloved.
By Danielle Lynch, Delaware County Daily Times
Posted: 01/09/14, 9:19 PM EST | Updated: on 01/09/2014
LANSDOWNE — The Lansdowne community is mourning the loss of its favorite wild turkey friend who died Wednesday after he was reportedly hit by a car.
Former Lansdowne Mayor Jayne Young said she was saddened by the news.
“There was a certain charm about wild turkeys that travel freely around the borough, and I’m really sad someone hit him with a car,” she said.
Borough resident George Blum said he used to see three wild turkeys wandering around the neighborhood in 2012. Beginning last winter, Blum only saw one. Someone in the borough eventually named the turkey Roscoe.
“He would show up in random places and be part of the neighborhood,” Blum said.
Blum said the turkey used to float between the area of Garrett Road and south of there in the borough.
“It’s sad,” Blum said about Roscoe’s death. “He was part of the community. It’s very sad.”
A woman who answered the phone at the Lansdowne Police Department on Thursday said a supervisor relayed to her that “at this point, we have no statement.” The bird was reportedly struck by a car and killed near the intersection of Lansdowne Avenue and Baltimore Pike.
A Facebook fan page for the turkey was created last May. The top banner of the page now shows a photo of the bird along with a message that says “Rest in Peace Roscoe, Lansdowne’s Favorite Turkey.” As of about 3 p.m. Thursday, the “Lansdowne Turkey” Facebook page had 647 “likes.”
The turkey also has its own Facebook member account page under the name “Roscoe Yekrut.” Yekrut is the word turkey spelled backward. In addition the Facebook pages, some of the borough residents used to post YouTube videos of the bird, according to Blum.
“It’s a sad day for Lansdowne,” said borough resident Fran Wayne, who is the secretary of Animal Friends of Lansdowne organization and one of the founding board members. “Yesterday our unwitting mascot and cause célèbre Roscoe the wild turkey was struck by a car and killed. This regal (though not too bright) bird spent much of his time walking or just standing in the street. And so our worst fear for him has come to pass. Roscoe will be sorely missed. I’d like to suggest a memorial gathering and perhaps a shot of Wild Turkey in the near future.”
The Animal Friends of Lansdowne also made a bumper sticker a few months ago to raise awareness about wild turkeys which had a slogan of “I brake for turkeys” printed on it.
Borough resident Barbara Yuknick recalled how she stopped traffic on numerous occasions for Roscoe. She said he was a large turkey so she had a hard time believing a motorist did not see him. She said there has been more wildlife species in the borough in recent years including foxes and turkeys.
“It’s sad,” she said. “People have to become more aware and learn to live with the wildlife.”
This post touches my heart. Zelda is 10 and has been through a lot. She is lovely.
ReplyDeleteLovely story from Zelda turkey, safe from thangiving and hurricane Sunday, thanks for this story, greeting from Belgium
ReplyDeleteThank you Retriever for stopping by. The best thing about the internet is meeting new people. Hope to see you again.
DeleteLinda
Zelda can teach a lot of us something. Lovely Story Linda..
ReplyDeleteIsn't it amazing how animals can touch our hearts? This started my day off with a smile.
ReplyDeleteThanks Linda
Isn't it amazing how animals can touch our hearts? This started my day off with a smile.
ReplyDeleteThanks Linda