Morningside Park

Wild Turkey Released In Morningside Park

Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe joined representatives from Animal Care & Control and the NYPD Emergency Service Unit today to release Hedda Gobbler, a wild turkey, into the hospitable environment of Morningside Park. 

"Today we are pleased to release our fowl friend, Hedda Gobbler, into the safe and breathtakingly beautiful environs of Morningside Park," said Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe. "For several weeks this spring, neighborhood residents reported seeing a wild turkey in this park, then it suddenly disappeared. While we cannot be certain that this is the same turkey, it appears that Miss Gobbler was jealous of the attention that Easter bunnies and chicks were receiving and, by taking a leisurely stroll at the Riverton Houses, decided to seek its own publicity. We are grateful to the NYPD Emergency Service Unit and Animal Care and Control for kindly apprehending and caring for this social bird."

On April 12, Detective Laura Gulenyan and Detective Henry Medina of the NYPD Emergency Service Unit collared Hedda Gobbler, a wild turkey that was roaming among the grounds of the Riverton Apartment Complex at East 135^th Street. Rather than booking her, she was turned over to Animal Care & Control for safekeeping. The Parks Department is pleased to release Miss Gobbler into Morningside Park where she can thrive in a safe and quiet environment.

Hedda Gobbler was released in front of the Dr. Thomas Kiel Arboretum. This is a quiet locale with a variety of foliage and terrain including open fields, fenced-in areas of flowers and shrubs, and a bedrock that offers nesting spots.

Hedda Gobbler is named after Henrik Ibsen’s character, Hedda Gabler. Hedda craved her freedom and was committed to social conventions. Likewise, our "fowl" friend is also highly social and independence oriented. By habitating Morningside Park, Hedda Gobbler will join Zelda in Battery Park as famous New York City turkeys.