Blind date for 'depressed' turkey

A turkey which was showing signs of depression at a Gloucester rare breeds centre has been found a mate.

Staff at Robinswood Hill Country Park became concerned when Roger - a female bird - became lethargic, lost feathers and began sitting on ducks eggs.

A stag turkey called Fred, who recently lost his female companion, has now been found to keep Roger company.

The city council's Countryside Manager, Derek Brown, said the birds are being given time to get to know each other.

Roger has been cared for at the country park since being saved from the slaughterhouse last Christmas by a BBC Radio Gloucestershire appeal.

Hard to get

Mr Brown said they had been advised to put a wire between the two birds for the first 48 hours.

"We hope Fred will come and cheer her up. He lost his mate about nine months ago and he's quite miserable.

"If they spend a day together now and there's no scrapping or domestic violence, we'll probably shut them away together tonight. You never know when you put two creatures together what will happen.

"She's playing hard to get, but I'm sure the relationship will flourish," he added.