City Seeks Solutions to Wild Turkey Woes — Relocation Is One Possibility

City of Albany staff are looking for "creative solutions" to the community's wild turkey troubles, acording to a report that will be presented to the city council on March 4.

Among the options being studied: a local ordinance that would ban the feeding of wild animals and possible relocation of the birds to a less urbanized environment.

Council members asked for the report at their Feb. 19 meeting after an Albany resident requested that the city identify solutions to the problems caused by an overabundance of wild turkeys.

The report from City Clerk Nicole Almaguer and City Mananger Beth Pollard says staff talked with representatives of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and Alameda County Vetor Control. During those discussions, they learned that it's not illegal under the state's Fish and Game Code to feed wild animals, including turkeys.

"There is an opportunity for the City to adopt a local regulation to prohibit the feeding of wild animals which can be explored further to determine other jurisdictions that may have adopted similar rules," the report says.

Staff members are reaching out to humane wildlife pest control services and exploring the possibility of relocating the turkeys, perhaps with help from a wildlife organization.

If the city retains a nonprofit wildlife orgaization to relocate the birds, it would cost somewhere between $1,500 and $3,000, the report says.

Albany residents have complained recently that the number of wild turkeys in town and the birds' aggressive behavior are causing problems for humans.