| Seth Noone holds one of the turkeys to be fit for a radio transmitter. |
Some 60 wild turkeys that had been misbehaving in southern Utah, found themselves in a new home last week. Their bad behavior included moving into farmer’s haystacks. They were captured and transported by the Division of Wildlife Resources to Carbon County where they were released on the very top of Spring Canyon above Helper. According to Brad Crompton, who coordinated the release, the location on private property up the canyon is an ideal habitat for the birds. They were all Rio Grande turkeys, the most common breed in Utah.
Students from Carbon High school’s AP biology class assisted in the release. Crompton explained to the students the importance of relocating the birds to a habitat where they can feed, be protected and reproduce. The canyon is filled with Pinyon Trees and there are plenty of berries, acorns and grass. “This area hasn’t had turkeys in it for a long time, if ever,” says Crompton.
Two of the females were fitted with radio transmitters, each with a radiant beep which will monitor the bird’s location, especially during breeding and nesting seasons.
Alayne Carrillo, AP biology teacher commented that the activity was a great learning experience for her students. “They get to see science first hand.”