Turkey terror named ‘Karl’ torments residents of Rockton, Illinois

ROCKTON, Ill. (WTVO) — In the quiet town of Rockton, Illinois, residents are crying “fowl” after being tormented by a turkey terror the locals have named “Karl.”

“He chased after me. He was on our grass and he started chasing me. And he came up to me, tried to peck me, and I ran in the garage and told my mom,” said six-year-old Xiley Long.

In March, residents in the cul-de-sac neighborhood said Karl was seen with two other wild turkeys, but now he seems to be on his own, attacking cars and chasing children.

“He’s been in my garage three times. I’ve been watering the flowers, minding my own business, like 8:00 in the morning, and here comes Karl,” Tashawna Long said. “He’ll like, he’ll run up to you, and then he’ll stop and he’ll act like he’s pecking the ground. And then he’ll take off right at you.”

Neighbors we spoke to have different opinions on Karl, some saying his presence was not all that bad – but others say they hope he goes away and doesn’t come back.

“I’ve reached out to Rockton Township. I’ve reached out to the Illinois DNR (Department of Natural Resources). I reached out to the Wild Turkey Confederation, and they said they would put in something, but there’s really nothing that they can do about it,” Long said.

Long said she’s worried about her daughter going outside to enjoy the nice weather, but encountering the foul bird.

“Every day I have to look outside before I go outside,” Long said. “I do worry about that because my daughter likes to play at the playground or, you know, in the pool. I don’t think they’ll go in the pool, but I’m worried about the playground. But it’s just it’s scary. It really is.”

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is asking for citizens to help with a wild turkey survey, to estimate the population.