'Bimini Bob:' Berkeley Streets Strive To Keep Famous Turkey Safe

BERKELEY, NJ — "Bimini Bob" survived another Thanksgiving. The turkey struts in the area of Bimini Drive. Bimini Bob first appeared months ago, and his celebrity has only grown since.

He's become the talk of his neighborhood. Bimini Bob mostly hangs out on Bimini Drive sidewalks — mostly between Bonaire Drive and Jamaica Boulevard, according to neighbors.

Janice Viscel-Borek, who lives around Bimini Drive and Bonaire Drive, often sees Bimini Bob when she walks her dog. Bimini Bob runs away, but her dog is so used to the turkey that he doesn't bark.

"I kind of think that he lost a mate and this is where he wants to be now," Viscel-Borek said.

There have been plenty of Nextdoor posts in the area he roams — within Holiday City-Berkeley by Mule Road. Posts include Bimini Bob sightings, well-being checks and stories of Bimini Bob's growing legend.

A neighbor even wrote a humorous but sentimental Thanksgiving letter signed by Bimini Bob.

"It’s because of you that I can smile and be brave about life," the letter said. "I love you, and I want to be with you for a very long time."

The area is close to several ecological preserves, so wildlife encounters aren't unfamiliar. But residential roads aren't the easiest place for turkeys to live — even turkeys like Bimini Bob who conquer the streets. For all his charm, Bimini Bob doesn't always make the smartest or safest decisions.

"He saw his reflection in a Jeep and he started pecking at it," Viscel-Borek said of one of her recent sightings. "Then when the Jeep finally took off, he was running right next to it. We don’t want him to get hit by a car, and we don’t want anyone to get in an accident."

Local wild turkeys have also gotten a bad rap recently. Widespread reports showed a large flock of turkeys terrorizing Holiday City at Silverton in Toms River. The turkeys reportedly broke house windows and tried to bite people. Read more: Wild Turkeys Reportedly 'Terrorize' Toms River Community

But some of Bimini Bob's neighbors have told Patch that his behavior shouldn't be lumped with his aggressive brethren of Holiday City at Silverton.

"We want Bimini Bob pardoned!" local resident Kate Bearden wrote to Patch. "Since the turkey roundup at Holiday City Silverton our neighborhood turkey has come under fire and we don't think this is OK."

And if Bimini Bob wanders too far up Bimini Drive, he'll find himself on Route 37, where he strutted a couple weeks ago. Animal control darted Bimini Bob, and he landed sedated in the nearby field, according to witnesses.

But Bimini Bob lived. Many residents have posted in Nextdoor and told Patch that they hope an animal sanctuary can adopt him. Several neighbors have contacted the Popcorn Park Animal Refuge hoping they can take action.

In the meantime, much of the neighborhood enjoys Bimini Bob and hope he stays safe, Viscel-Borek said.

"The neighborhood loves him now," she said. "Some don’t like him because of the traffic, but he doesn’t bother anybody. He’s just so beautiful."

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