Hamden Officer Praised For Rescuing Orphaned Turkey Poults

HAMDEN, CT — A Hamden Police officer is being credited for his dedication and compassion in caring for seven turkey poults after their mother was killed by a predator. Cindy Stilson-Shook, a wildlife rehabilitator in Warren, sent a letter to the Hamden Police Department commending the efforts of Assistant Animal Control Officer Mitch Gibbs.

On July 25, Gibbs responded to a Hartford Turnpike home after a resident found three turkey poults in their yard. The mother of the poults was killed by a predator, according to Capt. Ronald Smith.

Smith said Gibbs showed initiative by playing “sounds of a mother turkey” in an attempt to find any surviving poults. Upon hearing the sounds, four poults came out of hiding. Gibbs tried to find a wildlife rehabilitator, but was unsuccessful, according to Smith. He then took the seven poults to his home, where he cared for them.

“The following day, AACO Gibbs drove, round trip, over 100 miles, on his own time, to Ms. Stilson-Shook’s residence in Warren,” Smith said.

Smith received a letter from Stilson-Shook, in which she wrote, “Your officer Mitch drove some turkey poults to me after hours, when we could not organize transport thru the Connecticut Wildlife Transport page. It was imperative to these poults that they get to a rehabber.” She further wrote, “Mitch, on his own time, drove them to me. I have raised a happy flock of wild turkeys that have been returned to the wild thanks to Mitch.”

Smith said he “couldn’t be prouder of the dedication and compassion that was shown by AACO Gibbs.”

Photo via the Hamden Police Department