On April 20th, 2015, the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries
(DGIF) game warden had a wildlife biologist fatally shoot a wild
turkey without even attempting non-lethal methods.

The wild turkey had enchanted area residents and shoppers as she
roamed the area around Cascades Shopping Center and Dulles Town Center in Sterling, Virginia.  People gathered to photograph her, but they
were concerned for public safety when the turkey kept interfering with
traffic on Route 7, so they called authorities to ask for help
relocating the turkey. 

Three Loudoun County Animal Control Officers, a Sherriff’s Deputy
and a local citizen involved with a wildlife group spent several
man hours from April 19-20th making several attempts to relocate the
wild turkey, but she remained elusive.  Expecting expert help in
safely catching the turkey, the local authorities contacted the DGIF,
but instead of help the DGIF brought a wildlife biologist who came and
fired no. 8 bird shot multiple times into the turkey in our suburban
neighborhood.  No non-lethal attempts were made!

As you can see from the Loudoun Times Mirror report, the citizens are very opposed to this brutal act http://www.loudountimes.com/news/article/traffic_dodging_route_7_turkey_euthanized_in_sterling898

Given the fact that the DGIF and wildlife biologists should be well
trained on several methods of non-lethal capture and relocation of
wildlife, and that wild turkeys are a mostly terrestrial wild bird, of
the family Phasianidae, 78 species of this family already vulnerable
to extinction, we demand better!

There are certified courses that government agencies use throughout
the country to learn humane, non-lethal capture and control methods
for hundreds of species.  Tranquilizer guns, blow darts, and different
range and power dart guns can help rescue a scared and confused
animal.  Many times wild turkeys have been rescued and transported to
‘turkey friendly’ public land management areas around the
northeast of the Unites States.

As is common for catching a ground bird, a net gun could be used.  If
they had worked at night the turkey would have been easier to catch.
Another option, since it is mating season, is a turkey call.  She
would have been drawn to the call and again netted for capture. These
methods all require patience, but several volunteers were willing to
help do the right thing. 

Lethal force should only be used as a last resort, so why is law
enforcement killing so quickly? Stop betraying the public's trust and
stop the lethal use of force as the ‘quick fix’ answer to wildlife
situations.  It is not fixing anything!

Thank you.