US EditionHow trading wild turkeys for other animals became a conservation success story
Wild turkey restoration through inter-state and provincial trades helped rebuild populations from near extinction to 7 million, benefiting multiple wildlife species, officials said.
- The National Wild Turkey Federation reports wild turkey numbers recovered to about 7 million across 49 U.S. states, Canada and Mexico, with trades for management key to this success.
- Forest clearing and unregulated hunting drove wild turkeys to near-extirpation in the mid-1800s, and pen-raising efforts in the 1940s and 1950s failed, prompting managers to capture and relocate wild birds.
- Provincial and state exchanges included Ontario receiving 274 turkeys in trades and West Virginia sending turkeys to seed flocks, while New Hampshire grew to roughly 40,000 through repeated relocations.
- Conservation groups add that the recovery, exceeding expectations, helps ensure native species persistence and highlights turkeys' ecological and societal benefits.
- Despite early setbacks, wildlife biologists relied on creative, iterative methods as New Hampshire managers adapted to changing winter severity and landscape, improving flock survival.
48 Articles
48 Articles
How trading wild turkeys for other animals became a conservation success story
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — No one wants a weasel on their Thanksgiving table, but swapping turkeys for other animals was once surprisingly common. Trading turkeys – for wildlife management, not dinner – was a key part of one of North America’s biggest conservation success stories. After dwindling to a few thousand birds in the late 1880s, [...]
Wild turkey exchanges between states and provinces were key to recovering the species in North America, from almost disappearing in the 19th century to more than seven million specimens. A creative conservation strategy that also promoted the restoration of other species.
By HOLLY RAMER CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Nobody wants a weasel on their Thanksgiving table, but trading turkeys for other animals used to be surprisingly common. Turkey swaps, for wildlife management rather than dinner, were a key part of one of North America's greatest conservation success stories. After dwindling to just a few thousand in the late 1880s, the wild turkey population has grown to roughly 7 million across 49 U.S. states, plus those liv…
By HOLLY RAMER CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Nobody wants a weasel on their Thanksgiving table, but trading turkeys for other animals used to be surprisingly common. Turkey swaps, for wildlife management rather than dinner, were a key part of one of North America's greatest conservation success stories. After dwindling to just a few thousand in the late 1880s, the wild turkey population has grown to roughly 7 million across 49 U.S. states, plus those liv…
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