A group of baby turkeys trapped in a storm drain on Long Island had someone waiting for them above ground: their mother.
New York Department of Environmental Conservation police officers rescued the turkey poults in Suffolk County and reunited them with their mother, according to the DEC.
Baby turkeys trapped in storm drain
The officers were on patrol Aug. 3 when they heard a radio call about turkey poults trapped in a storm drain in Coram, the DEC said.
When officers arrived, they found the young turkeys trapped below ground and crying out. Their mother remained nearby with the rest of her brood.
DEC officers rescue trapped poults
The officers lifted the storm drain cover, and one officer climbed inside to rescue the trapped birds.
The officer rounded up the poults and brought them safely back above ground, where they
were reunited with their mother and the rest of the brood.
The DEC released video of the rescue and reunion.
When do wild turkeys hatch?
Wild turkeys typically hatch in late spring and early summer. Turkey poults are dependent on their mothers for protection during their first weeks of life and generally remain with their brood as they grow.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Baby turkeys rescued from Long Island storm drain, reunited with mother. See video
