The Turkeys of South Park | South Park Heritage Experience

Turkeys have had an interesting history here in the SPNHA and if you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of some while your in South Park! Learn more about these feathered creatures on the latest episode of the South Park Heritage Experience.
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• Many have hiked the various public trails of South Park and heard their eerie cry in the distance. Don't worry it's not Bigfoot, it's just our neighbor the turkey.
• This famous bird has deep ties to American tradition and is often the first menu item one thinks about when reflecting on the first Thanksgiving.
• Their representation in this manner is most likely correct, due to the fact that when the pilgrims arrived there were millions of the five native species of Turkey found in the Americas. Their harvest was considered boundless.
• Hunters started to notice their disappearance in Vermont and Connecticut in the early 1800s. It wasn't until the great depression that the direness of the turkey's situation was discovered.
With families hungry and desperate, many turned to illegal poaching, putting even more strain on the turkey's population. By the time conservation efforts began, only 30,000 of the birds remained.
• The birds became domesticated due to their popularity. Most of today's commercially produced turkeys are ancestors of Colorado's native turkey subspecies; the Merriam's.
• Thanks to the conservation efforts of Colorado Parks and Wildlife and its partners, the turkey has made a big comeback in Colorado with more than 35,000 in this state alone.
• This has created an opportunity for hunters in Colorado to get their turkey license and if they feel so inclined, to pursue one of the oldest American traditions.
• Providing us a holiday meal with a well dressed turkey as its star.