A wild turkey in the area of the Cameron Peak fire has escaped the flames, but the same bird is likely being fed by a person, an unwanted act that will ultimately endanger the bird, wildlife officials said.

On Friday, an officer with Colorado Parks and Wildlife was clearing debris from Colorado 14 in Rustic when a wild turkey came out of the forest and up to the officer, according to CPW.

The officer initially thought the bird was distressed because of nearby wildfire, but the turkey stuck around and went through motions, looking to be fed.

“What became obvious was that it is a domesticated bird being fed by people,” CPW said on Twitter. “This is not natural behavior.”

People should not feed wildlife, CPW officials said. Wildlife, even a turkey, can injury people they come across after being fed elsewhere, and by someone else, when expectations to be fed are not met. Animals that injure humans are euthanized by wildlife officials.

It is illegal to feed big game animals, including deer, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, pronghorn, and elk in Colorado.

Source: Read Full Article