Wild turkey takes up residence at UNL study hall

A wild turkey that has seemingly taken up residence outside a campus study hall has the University of Nebraska-Lincoln aflutter. 

The turkey, which was spotted on campus as early as last week, appears to be infatuated with the Adele Coryell Hall Learning Commons near Love Library. 

While the animal’s exact origins are unknown, Jeff Culbertson, assistant director of landscape operations, says he imagines it was following the greenbelts through the city. The Antelope Valley Project helps connect campus with Holmes Lake and Antelope Park via strips of greenbelt.

Culbertson say it’s not unusual to see wildlife on both city and east campus at UNL. He’s seen turkey before on city campus, but it’s been a couple of years.  Wildlife typically seen on city campus include mallards, red fox and the occasional deer.

East Campus has a wider array of wildlife—beaver, deer, coyotes, fox, ground hogs and turkey. Culbertson thinks East Campus’ proximity to Dead Man’s Run results in more wildlife there.

Some took to social media with their own ideas for the bird. Someone even created an account to represent it (@TurkeyUnl). 

The University’s official Twitter account chimed in, urging onlookers to let the turkey pursue higher knowledge in peace. 

Even Chancellor Ronnie Green, who apparently aced Turkey 101, shared about the turkey’s enthusiasm for Husker sports. 

That enthusiasm seemed to be supported by another photo of the turkey posing in front of a ‘Go Big Red’ banner. 

One student compared the feathery fowl favorably to a historic landmark. 

At this time it seems there are no plans to remove the bird from campus. 

There’s also no word yet as to how the turkey is getting along with the fabled UNL campus cats.