Meet Cupid – the turkey living life with an arrow struck in its chest.
When he first stumbled across the bird, roaming through the gated community where he lives, Guy Churchward was shocked.
The 50-year-old CEO of a tech company spotted the arrow appearing to be lodged in the animal’s body.
Rushing to help, he contacted Scott at the SPCA animal charity to assist.
Guy, an avid photographer based in Tehama, California, US, also took the opportunity to snap some pictures of the turkey, which local residents have dubbed ‘Cupid’.
Scott and his team asked if anyone in the community could get close to the turkey but unfortunately, the animal was “far too mobile” – which the animal charity says makes for “an incredibly challenging to impossible rescue”.
Thankfully, this is also a sign that the arrow likely has not hit vital organs.
He said: “If the turkey is moving as well as it was before, the arrow hasn’t hit anything vital.
“They have a thick feather coat and it is likely lodged there.
“Arrows can also work themselves out over time.
“In the meantime, I can imagine how upsetting this looks to people.”
Cupid is now being cautiously looked after by the residents in the gated community, including Guy.
“Residents continue to look for him to see if his mobility or health is changing,” Guy told NeedToKnow.co.uk.
“So basically the SPCA can’t figure out how to help as they believe she will just take flight.
“If Cupid gets worse, like stuck on something, then we can call them and they will come over, but usually that will be too late.
“I respect the SPCA team greatly but I do wish they would have at least made the decision based on visual inspection, if for nothing else but to exhaust all possibilities.”
The turkey has become a beloved part of the community.
Guy said: “We celebrate Cupid daily in the extended community, we admire the grit and determination and we do what we can to support the underdog and it remains quite the talking point!”
