Touch of death? Two Thanksgiving turkeys Obama pardoned last year are now DEAD

  • Cobbler and Gobbler, two 40-pound birds from Virginia, were pardoned by President Obama last year at an annual ceremony
  • The birds were sent off to live a charmed life on George Washington's Mt Vernon estate
  • But neither of the birds made it past the first year of freedom
  • He's not the first president to be so unlucky with his liberated birds
  • The average turkey lifespan is roughly three to four years
  • Obama will continue the tradition on Wednesday, with hopes that the next two birds will survive through a few of their golden years

By Daily Mail Reporter

PUBLISHED: 16:09 EST, 23 November 2013 | UPDATED: 16:49 EST, 23 November 2013

Two turkeys spared a certain death last year by President Obama who pardoned them in an annual ceremonious event are dead.

Cobbler and Gobbler, two 40-pound birds from Rockingham Country, Virginia, were sent off to live a charmed life on the sprawling historic estate of George Washington.

Sparing turkeys is a tradition that dates back to 1963, when President John F Kennedy sent that year’s gift from the National Turkey Federation back to the farm, declaring ‘we’ll just let this one grow’.

'Be free': President Barack Obama, with daughters Sasha (3rd left) and Malia (right), pardons the 2012 National Thanksgiving Turkey, Cobbler. It died in August

'Be free': President Barack Obama, with daughters Sasha (3rd left) and Malia (right), pardons the 2012 National Thanksgiving Turkey, Cobbler. It died in August

Tradition: Sparing turkeys started in 1963, when President John F Kennedy, pictured 2nd from left, sent that year¿s gift from the National Turkey Federation back to the farm, declaring 'we'll just let this one grow'

Tradition: Sparing turkeys started in 1963, when President John F Kennedy, pictured 2nd from left, sent that year¿s gift from the National Turkey Federation back to the farm, declaring 'we'll just let this one grow'

President George H.W. Bush was the first to grant a turkey an official presidential pardon in 1989, according to ABC News.

At last year’s ceremony, Obama said: ‘From here these two lucky birds will be swept up in a whirlwind of fame and fortune that will ultimately lead them to Mount Vernon, where they will spend their twilight years in the storied home of George Washington.’

 

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But their freedom was short lived.

Cobbler, who, according to the White House, loved cranberries and the musical stylings of Carly Simon, was reportedly euthanized in August.

The official beginning: President George H.W. Bush was the first to grant a turkey an official presidential pardon in 1989

The official beginning: President George H.W. Bush was the first to grant a turkey an official presidential pardon in 1989

Obituary: Cobbler loved cranberries and singer Carly Simon, while Gobbler, who dropped dead in February, was a 'patient but proud bird'

Obituary: Cobbler loved cranberries and singer Carly Simon, while Gobbler, who dropped dead in February, was a 'patient but proud bird'. Both were spared by President Obama last year

And Gobbler, described as ‘a patient but proud bird’, passed away suddenly of unknown causes in February.

All of the eight turkeys pardoned by Obama have reportedly moved on to greener pastures.

But that’s not necessarily the president’s fault.

The average turkey lifespan is roughly three to four years and Obama is not the first with a poor track record in this department. George W Bush’s chosen birds also died in 2001.

Greener pastures: The two birds were sent to live out their retirement at George Washington's Mount Vernon sprawling estate, but they didn't last long

Greener pastures: The two birds were sent to live out their retirement at George Washington's Mount Vernon sprawling estate, but they didn't last long

A farmer at the time told the ABC that the birds are bred for eating and not retirement.

‘Their flesh has grown so fast, and their heart and their bones and their other organs can’t catch up.’

President Obama will continue the tradition on Wednesday, when he will grant two more turkeys their freedom.

Only time will tell if they will manage to enjoy their freedom more than their predecessors.

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Cheney got a hold of them

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Really? This is news?

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example of more gov waste if they do not want the birds donate them to feed the misfortune

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Personally I love turkey even though I have never cooked or tasted one. Every year when thanksgiving comes around chicken goes on sale because everyone wants a turkey. Thats when I stock up the freezer with the other white meat.

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are you really that stupid? turkey is 59Cents a pound at t'day....cheaper you cannot get.I buy a few to last me till MAY.

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I don't know Mari, the three I shot last weekend cost far less than $0.59/LB. :)

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Shame, hardly anyone on here actually cares about the birds. They have little chance of surviving for a long period of time due to the amount of drugs and chemicals they have been fed. They have 'pumped up' before their bodies have time to grow. If you feel sleepy after eating turkey it's your body trying to cope with the extra drugs and chemicals it has just consumed.

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He told the turkeys, "If you like your life, you can keep it."

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Did not sign them up for Obamacare

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our future under o' care

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One was named Obamacare the other Fast and Furious.

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A stupid tradition for a nation of PC imbeciles that truly believe food comes from the grocery store.

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This says everything that needs to be said about the ignorant Obama commenters in this venue. First, the issue is that these birds died a premature death. Think about that if you have budgies or parrots. What is it about their breeding that gives them such a short life? Second, what kind of ignoramus are you that you have no compassion for a bird who was bred to live such a short and terrible life? Do you have dogs or cats? Do you have any pet or any ability to relate to an animal? Look at your own conscience and capacity for compassion. This is why we are a primitive society. The measure of any civilization is how it treats its animals. Sickening comments about this. You are flesh, too, if you consider animals merely flesh. Perhaps the future holds that human flesh will be commidifed in the same way. Think about it..............

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I'd actually be fine watching folks like you starve to death.

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Blaming Obama, again! Come on.....read the story and you'd see that he didn't start the stupid " tradition" to begin with. I believe that was George Bush 1....hum, he was a Republican if you care to get picky.

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He couldn't even keep his word to turkeys........

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I'll bet it was the OBAMA CARE DEATH PANELS that did them in!

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