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Turkey’s mounds destroyed in park sees Manly family make signs to warn it’s illegal

A FAMILY of animal lovers have put up signs urging people to leave their local bush turkeys alone after twice seeing a man attack their nest.

family putting up signs to tell people to leave their bush turkeys alone in local park after they saw a man destroying its eggs. Emmett McGowan- 7 Aysha McGowan- 5 Abram McGowan- 4 - dark blue tshirt Allison and Nicholas McGowan
family putting up signs to tell people to leave their bush turkeys alone in local park after they saw a man destroying its eggs. Emmett McGowan- 7 Aysha McGowan- 5 Abram McGowan- 4 - dark blue tshirt Allison and Nicholas McGowan

A FAMILY of animal lovers have put up signs urging people to leave their local bush turkeys alone after twice seeing a man attack their nest.

Father Nick McGowan said he had seen a man smashing eggs and destroying the mound of the two birds – before returning again with a knife.

Mr McGowan told the man to leave after the incidents, which both happened at dawn on a Sunday.

The bush turkeys, which are protected, have made their home in Towerhill Reserve near the McGowan’s home on Gilbert Street in Manly.

Allison and Nicholas McGowan with Emmett, seven,  Aysha, five and Abram, four.
Allison and Nicholas McGowan with Emmett, seven, Aysha, five and Abram, four.

Mr McGowan said he could not believe what was happening.

“I was stunned,” he said. “If I had my time again I’d be a little more forthright.

“Previously there was a crate dumped on their nest. These are protected birds. You can’t just go and kick their habitats to pieces.

“It’s small-minded and doesn’t display any level of tolerance.

“It’s a reserve. It’s not on our property, or theirs.”

His three children have even named one of the turkey’s Dash, and they look for it every morning on the way to school.

Mr McGowan contacted NSW Parks and Wildlife rangers who helped word the signs.

The signs say they are a ‘turkey friendly family’ and reminds people it is illegal to harm their mounds – which they build to incubate their eggs – or the animals.

Penalties are up to an $11,000 fine or six months in jail if convicted under the NSW National Parks & Wildlife Act 1974.

“We would encourage people to be tolerant of the birds however we do appreciate there can be substantial mounds,” a parks service spokesman said. “There are some things people can do to reduce attractiveness of their gardens. The turkeys need an area that is partially shaded so maybe trimming vegetation.”

To report incidents call National Parks and Wildlife Services on 8968 6300.

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/northern-beaches/turkeys-mounds-destroyed-in-park-sees-manly-family-make-signs-to-warn-its-illegal/news-story/40623601827d7274ba290b341399f2d0