NEED TO KNOW
A wild turkey brought an MTA bus to a standstill in Staten Island
This is one of numerous incidents of the New York City borough’s growing turkey population disrupting traffic
The bird walked away unfazed from the confrontation, with no injuries reported
One of Staten Island’s most recognizable (and polarizing) residents brought traffic to a brief standstill Wednesday after confidently stepping into a crosswalk directly in front of a New York City MTA bus.
According to SILive, the encounter occurred on Wednesday, Feb. 19, near the corner of Victory Boulevard and Forest Avenue. Bus #8256 came to a full stop as the wild turkey planted itself squarely on the painted crosswalk lines, initiating a head-to-head standoff with the bus.
At one point, the turkey appeared to examine a poster mounted just above the bus’s front bumper advertising the Museum of Sex in Manhattan, noted the report, pausing with what could only be described as mild curiosity. The adult turkey showed little urgency to move, holding up traffic for a short period of time.
Wild turkey halts MTA bus traffic on Staten Island’s Victory Boulevard.
Andrew Bellah
The bird reportedly took its time crossing — seemingly unfazed by the waiting bus and perhaps aware that jaywalking enforcement is no longer a pressing concern in New York City.
PEOPLE reached out to the Staten Island Police Department for further comment.
For many, including New Yorkers living in other boroughs, this incident may be out of the ordinary, but for Staten Islanders, wild turkeys have been part of the island’s landscape for decades.
The borough’s flock traces back to the late 1990s, when domesticated turkeys were reportedly released near the South Beach Psychiatric Center and began breeding in the wild. Since then, their population has grown steadily.
Residents have grown accustomed to seeing the birds crossing busy streets, roaming residential lawns, and congregating near landmarks such as Northwell Staten Island University Hospital in Ocean Breeze. Flocks frequently slow traffic along Seaview Avenue and neighboring roads, creating a unique commuting hazard.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Efforts over the years by animal activists, conservationists, and city agencies to manage and relocate the fowl population have seen mixed results.
The bold turkey who stopped the bus eventually continued on its way without injury or further disruption from onlookers. No citations were issued.
Read the original article on People