Photos by Texas Parks and Wildlife News
Story by Texas Parks and Wildlife News
Eastern turkeys used to be plentiful in East Texas, though their numbers have declined significantly in recent years. TPWD field biologists in Lufkin and researchers from the University of Georgia are relocating turkeys from other states to Angelina National Forest, tracking the birds to learn more about their breeding, habitat and eating habits in an effort to restore the population to what it once was.
The turkeys traveled from Iowa overnight to be released in Texas. According to field biologist Jason Hardin.
The turkeys traveled to Texas on a bed of wood chips and feathers in their respective boxes. Hardin pushes some of the wood chips out of the way to pull the turkey out of its box.
The biologist writes down the tag information. Biologists can refer to this information sheet in the future when they record more data on the turkey.
It takes a second for the turkey to get off the ground.
