Photo by JD-Photos on Unsplash
Today’s good news story comes from The Cool Down newsletter. Thank you to Noelle Granger for sending it to me.
Experts thrilled by recovery of beloved US creatures: ‘It was really successful’
By Drew Jones
Wild turkeys are thriving across Illinois in what one wildlife expert has dubbed “one of the greatest wildlife management success stories in modern times.”
Once entirely extirpated from the state in the early 20th century due to overhunting and habitat loss, wild turkeys have returned to nearly every corner of the Prairie State through sustained restoration efforts that began in the 1950s.
Wild turkeys, native to North America and historically abundant across the Midwest, were completely killed off in Illinois, according to the Chicago Tribune. But decades of careful work by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and partners changed that.
“People had the idea that these natural resources would last forever,” Luke Garver, wild turkey project manager for the IDNR, told the publication.
Conservationists employed rocket-propelled nets to help capture birds and move them to different areas. They even used a multi-state collaboration approach to move birds from neighboring states and even “trade” wild turkeys for river otters in states that were looking to restore that population.
Over time, populations expanded naturally as habitat conditions improved and birds reproduced across the state’s forests.
“It was really successful,” Garver said. “It’s pretty remarkable how well these birds do when they’re given good habitat.
This comeback highlights why animal conservation and biodiversity are so important. Every species plays a role in the complex web of life that supports healthy ecosystems.
Turkeys help disperse seeds, control insect populations, and serve as prey and predators in food webs. Their interactions with plants and insects also help sustain soil health and nutrient cycles that benefit countless other organisms.
Biodiversity isn’t just good for nature, it’s crucial for humans too. Healthy ecosystems provide services we all rely on: clean water, fertile soil for crops, carbon storage that moderates climate change, and even our food supply. When species like wild turkeys rebound, it signals that these systems are functioning well.
Similar efforts are happening elsewhere. In California, for example, conservationists are trying to restore bighorn sheep populations.
The turkey’s triumphant return in Illinois is a powerful reminder that intentional conservation can restore nature’s balance. Preserving biodiversity ultimately supports both wildlife and human communities alike.
The good news in this story is that with effort, even potential extinction can be overcome. Today’s JohnKu talks about the impossible. I hope you have a super weekend.
Reverse by John W. Howell © 2026
Loss seems forever,
Till humans decide to work. . .
Then nature kicks in.
Fiction Favorites 
It’s amazing to me how one change in nature affects every single other thing. It’s heartening to know there are enough people who appreciate and respect this sensitive and important balance. And yanno, I had no idea they performed such trades between states!
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I was surprised as well to read that!
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It is a great thing for sure. Thanks for the visit.
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☺️☺️
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It is a wonderful thing for sure. Thanks, Pilgrim.
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Hope they’re careful with any turkeys taken from New York. Those guys are fearless and kind of jerks. Take on anything that doesn’t have claws and sharp teeth.
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Ha ha ha. Love that. 😀
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I learned scary things about healthy ecosystems and the potential effects of failure from some of the apocalyptic books I’ve read. Have a great weekend, John!
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Thank you, Teri. I’ll bet you have.
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Two wild turkeys kept stopping traffic on a well-traveled street not that long ago. We were used to it, but I guess some drivers weren’t amused, so I guess the wildlife folks must have found a home for them away from traffic. (I kind of miss them.)
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At least the birds will be safer away from the traffic.
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Hurray for the turkeys. I rarely saw them in Minnesota when I was growing up, but they are now plentiful again there. Here in Madison they are a common sight as well. Thanks for the information on how they improve the environment. Insect control sounds good to me!
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Sounds good to me, too.
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It’s sure pleasing to read about humans helping nature, John. I’ve been impressed with turkeys when I’ve seen them, but never thought of them helping the environment. Thanks for the information.
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A pleasure, Tim. I think they are a big help.
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It’s funny you should write about this. We never used to see turkeys in our area and now, almost every time someone visits the bird sanctuary, there they are!
Everything in nature serves a purpose. Everything except humans, of course. We seem hell-bent on destroying everything, then realising what we have done and having to work double-hard to undo our damage!
Excellent share today, John!
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Thank you, Dale. It was a nice story. 😊
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Very much so.
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Now if we could reduce the number of turkeys in Washington, it would be another win-win.
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So true.
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🤓
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We’re always thrilled when species restoration happens through human intervention. I know not everyone is thrilled with restoration but I for one, say…well done, Illinois. Thanks to Noelle for sharing this story with you, John.
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I agree with you, Monika. I just love stories like this.
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How gobble, gobble cool is this! And I promise to do my part and not eat turkey again!!!
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At least the wild ones. You can eat all the store bought you want.
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I had no idea that wild turkeys were in danger of extinction anywhere in the US. We have tons of them in New Hampshire.
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I was surprised too.
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Same with California. They’re all over the place. One of my neighbors has a pet turkey that occasionally wanders up and down our alley and gets into people’s flowers.
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Wonderful post, John. It’s heartwarming to hear about the good that is happening all around us. Thank you! 🌞
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I agree, Gwen. Always good to concentrate on goodness. Thank you. 😊
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This is fascinating. I’m sure that the people who are trying to restore our Prairie Chicken population (like at the Attwater refuge) are aware of the work being done with the turkeys. It seems as though the principles being followed would work for other species, with whatever adaptations are necessary.
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That is great news. We’ve hunted wild turkeys here in Texas. However, it is not bad. Wild Turkeys are very common in Texas and regulated hunting of wild turkeys in Texas, coupled with hunter-funded conservation efforts, helps habitat management.
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One thing I did not know before hunting them was that wild turkeys fly very well.
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