Wild turkey snarls traffic in downtown Ottawa

A wild turkey caused traffic problems and curious looks just blocks from Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Tuesday morning.

The bird, spotted shortly after 9 a.m. by motorists and pedestrians on Albert Street, eventually made its way to a downtown parking lot, and then toward a busy bus route, weaving in and out of traffic as it went.

Onlookers seemed to be giving the bird a wide berth, although some chased it with cell phones in hand.

Wild turkeys are a common sight in Ottawa, but it’s rare to see one running through the city’s busiest streets. Ottawa police confirmed they had received a call about the turkey at 9:27 a.m., and an officer was dispatched to try and capture it. Additional officers were then apparently sent in to help, but the bird was not located.

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Posts on social media suggested that a local wildlife rescue group was able to capture the turkey, but that has not been confirmed.

No accidents or injuries were reported as a result of the turkey’s morning stroll.

—With files from Amanda Connolly