NJ Turnpike Turkey is No Chicken

The New Jersey Turnpike near Jersey City is not a stretch of road for chickens. And you wouldn't think it would be a spot for a turkey, either, but one brave bird made the area an unlikely home, and even the threat of Thanksgiving isn't scaring her off.

Last weekend, cameras for NBC New York captured the turkey, dubbed Tammy, literally stopping traffic at exit 14B as she zig-zagged across the exit ramp. Authorities attempted to rescue her last weekend, as they have been trying to do on and off for months, but this bird proved a bit too sly.

"We're regrouping at the moment ... we're just letting Tammy have some peace and allow her to gloat over her victory this weekend," Turnpike spokesman Joe Orlando told NBC New York, with tongue firmly in cheek.

Another Turnpike source quipped, "There's been more video of Tammy than Carrie Prejean."

Apparently Tammy is perturbed by Turnpike toll costs, and is demonstrating by jumping on top of parked toll collector cars. To deter Tammy, they are placing traffic cones on top of their vehicles.

Now, Turnpike authorities say they are strategizing once again on what to do about this clever bird — who has garnered nationwide media interest — but say delivering her to Butterball is not an option.

"Later this week we'll be revisiting the issue and we think that we'll be able to move the bird to a safe location under a new name and identity to protect her from the crush of media interest," said Orlando.

He was sort of kidding, but also sort of not. Go Tammy!

Photo courtesy of Scott Bauer via Wikimedia Commons.