Why Are Some Animals Considered ‘Pests’? It Comes Down to Culture and Convenience

Why Are Some Animals Considered ‘Pests’? It Comes Down to Culture and Convenience

By Elan Abrell, Wesleyan University After wild turkeys attacked an 83-year-old woman in May 2026, sending her to the emergency room for stitches, police warned residents of Alameda, California, to avoid interacting with the animals. Wild turkeys can be particularly aggressive during mating season. They can also damage property: digging up gardens, staining decks with their droppings and occasionally attacking cars and windows when they mistake …