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Farm Sanctuary in Watkins Glen, N.Y., started an online petition, asking the president to let the national turkeys find homes in their turkey shelter instead of in the Magic Kingdom, Mother Nature Network reports.
"Historically these turkeys have been actually sent to farms where they're supposed to live out their lives, but they don't live very long lives," Farm Sanctuary president and co-founder Gene Baur told Slashfood.
"At Disneyland they don't' know how to properly care for them, and they feed them in such a way that they become overweight, which is what typically happens to these birds," he said. "We're hoping the president will send them to Farm Sanctuary where they will get the best care possible."
Since 2005 the national turkeys have found homes in Disneyland's Frontierland and have served as grand masters of the park's Thanksgiving Day parade.
At least half of the turkeys that have been sent to Disneyland, however, have died within one year of arrival, Farm Sanctuary told MMN. Disney did not respond to Slashfood's request for comment.
"These birds have been genetically bred to grow very fast and very large. Its common for them to die of a heart attack at just a year old or even younger sometimes," Baur said. "To prevent that you need to feed them a high-fiber diet that provides them with nutrients but that won't make them put on weight."
Farm Sanctuary has written a letter to the White House but has yet to get a response, Baur said. The White House declined to comment.
"Farm animals like all animals have feelings and they deserve to be treated with respect and given the best life possible," he said. "We're offing that here, and we hope the president takes us up on that."
If the national turkeys do wind up at Farm Sanctuary, they have next year's Thanksgiving feast to look forward to, Baur said. The shelter spends Thanksgiving feeding traditional fare to the turkeys. "They're the guests of honor instead of the main course."
Should the turkeys be going to Disneyland? Let us know in the comments below.
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11-19-2009 @8:12PM Daniel F. said... So I guess we've cured cancer then?
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11-19-2009 @8:46PM Theo said... That's pretty funny, but I think you're on the wrong site for cancer research.
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11-20-2009 @2:05AM Daniel F. said... My apologies, my sarcasm wasn't clear. A Thanksgiving without turkey is no Thanksgiving at all.
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11-20-2009 @7:11AM B said... Gene Baur is being kind of deliberately obtuse calling the birds "genetically bred", and it will mislead droves of uninformed animal rights and anti GMO people.
The birds have been selectively bred for about fifty years to meet the demands of the American consumer. The same way almost every single thing you eat was (corn, wheat, soy, rice, bananas, chickens, cows, pigs, etc. etc. etc.). Stop preying on the ignorance of the general public.
I do believe that in a few hundred years, humanity will likely have abandoned eating meat for moral (but more likely practical) reasons. Let us all revel in our barbarianism.
Would they rather I kill three heritage turkeys to satisfy my family's craving for flesh on Thanksgiving, or just one selectively bred super bird?
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11-20-2009 @8:38AM Gobo said... Daniel F, vegetarians across America would disagree a tad.
As far as this well-meaning animal rescue group goes, I think it's a bit ridiculous of them to think that they're the only ones qualified to take care of turkeys properly. If they're so knowledgeable about turkey welfare, why not offer to educate the folks at Disney about proper turkey treatment?
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11-20-2009 @10:22AM Laura K said... It sounds to me like the turkeys have traditionally gone to a farm sanctuary after being pardoned, but that Bush decided to send them to Disneyland instead, where they weren't treated in a way that would prolong their lives. I'm not sure why people here seem so opposed to the Farm Sanctuary people. As usual, Slashfood commenters baffle me.
I'm also not sure why the turkey's lives need to be prolonged, but I'm not an animal rights activist, so that's probably where my vision is lacking, there.
Also, this has nothing to do with whether people who be able to eat turkey at Thanksgiving.
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11-20-2009 @11:58AM Eric Tsuei 2 said... cancer free?
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11-20-2009 @1:18PM David said... Disneyland is no place for farm animals (or any animals). Send them to Farm Sanctuary!
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11-20-2009 @3:29PM amanda said... @B, thanks for your point about genetics. These birds are genetically altered in the same way hybrid roses are. People let specific breeds reproduce to attain certain traits. Humans have been modifying the genetics of plants and animals for centuries.
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11-20-2009 @4:06PM oinky jones said... Disneyland sucks. I wish it was shut down, along with all of its subsidiaries. Billions of people and other living beings are suffering and dying, and people go on stupid rides and pay big bucks to waste their time. Something VERY wrong with that picture.
As for the turkeys, Disneyland IS NOT the place for them.
And "Thanksgiving" is a day of mourning for Indigenous people. It should not be a holiday at all.
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11-20-2009 @4:14PM Robin H said... Daniel F,
You voiced my thoughts exactly. If you care about the treatment they're receiving and don't believe Disney knows how to do it then educate them. I'm pretty sure that the folks at Disney don't want to see them die prematurely!
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11-20-2009 @4:12PM Daniel said... i like how Slashfood says Disneyland doesn't know how to care for the turkeys but then says how to like no one will read this.
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11-20-2009 @4:12PM tom said... OMG, Farm sanctuary is looking for more government funding. Are we all so stupid to believe that anyone really cares about those turkeys. All these "turkey" groups are looking for is money from the government.
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11-20-2009 @4:14PM leslie said... turkeys are bred to be eaten NOT pardoned they are specifically bred for food ...and how does a turkey have feelings they are dumber than dirt
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11-21-2009 @5:53PM Paul said... there is actually an organization dedicated to saving turkeys. pftt pftt ermmm HAHAHAHAHAHA!
sorry but .....hahahahahahahaha
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11-20-2009 @4:17PM a.spicer said... WHO CARES!!!!! A TURKEY IS A TURKEY IS A TURKEY! I WILL CERTAINELY ENJOY MY BIRD THIS THANKSGIVING> This is not about the turkeys this is just more Bush Bashing!!!!! Give me a break you idiots!!!
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11-20-2009 @4:16PM peapers said... I'm sorry, turkeys do not have feelings. They are so stupid, as a matter of fact, that turkey farmers lose a large number of turkeys when it rains due to their propensity to look up to see where the water is coming from resulting with them drowning in the act.
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11-20-2009 @4:19PM solomeeo said... peta at it again................roflmao!!!
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11-20-2009 @4:17PM joan said... Anything to keep blaming President Bush for. Let it go, people! Like him or not, he tried his best. How about wishing the same for your current president? A sincere Happy Thanksgiving wish for everyone for happiness and peace. :)
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11-20-2009 @6:19PM emilio said... THANKSGIVING DAY PARABLE
Emilio Paletta Author
Copy rite 2006
POP WAS MY HERO
Having been born on Thanksgiving is quite special. Oh, I guess there are those who might say, “What’s the big deal; thousands of babies are born on Thanksgiving?"
Well, that may be true; but in my case it was entirely different. My destiny was predetermined the minute I was conceived. “How come you ask?” It's really quite simple, you see, unlike you I'm a turkey; and unless you‘re one too, you've no idea, what it’s like knowing someday when laid to rest; it'll be on someone's dinning room table.
My journey began on a cold snowy night in November of 1928. Mom told me it was so cold, that after hatching my skin was covered over with goose bumps; Go figure!
The late Tom and Penny Fowler were my loving parents and resided in the Poconos'; on a farm owned by the Mac Donald family. Mom's lineage was domestic; whereas Pops' was wild. The two love birds though of different breeding, were able to talk turkey; whether necking or pecking. Before settling down Pop was hunted night and day, never knowing when he'd end up in the sights of game hunters. He was a handsome bird with colorful flaps of skin around his neck, called wattles. I'll let you in on a little secret, ' I think that’s what attracted Mom.'
Early in the evening Pop could be heard gobbling; as he serenaded mom. After keeping company a few months, they tied the knot; and not long after Mom was in a family way. Proud of him-self, pop strutted around the barnyard doing the “Turkey Trot.” Mom’s family was not particularly enamored about the mixed marriage. The newlyweds could care less. The rest of their barnyard friends were delighted; as was Old Mac Donald.
Both Pop and Mom loved dancing. During weekly barn-dances they'd kick their heels, and do-si-do;
to the tune of “Turkey in the Straw”
Unlike domesticated birds pop was capable of flying at 55 miles per hour, and able to run at speeds of twenty-five. 'I’ll tell you this, pop was no slouch; he was a born leader; who was resourceful, trustworthy, and intelligent. He earned his reputation for courage under fire. It was easy to understand considering his great, great, great, grandfather once was suggested by Ben Franklin, to be the national bird; instead of the eagle.'
After I came along pop took me under his wing. He kept me abreast of things, teaching me the rudiments of living in the wild' and the art of outfoxing game hunters. He explained how our ancestors migrated from far off Turkey, to North America, in their struggle for a better existence.
Life on the farm was quiet and serene; that is, until the 1929 Depression hit; just before Thanksgiving. Old Mac Donald had a look of anguish on his face as he gathered the barnyard boys, to explain that taxes were due; and he had no choice, but to sell one of each species. Panic set in causing the domesticated birds to turn chicken. Noting their fear Pop was first to step-up to the plate; knowing all to well he was placing his neck on the chopping block. At that moment I never felt prouder.
To lay down ones life so others may live, is the supreme sacrifice. Pop was my hero. Although saddened, Mom stood by her Tom; as she fought to hold back the tears.
Shortly after Pop’s demise, Mom died of a broken heart. As for me I still live on the farm, and now have a family of my own. Old Mac Donald has since passed, leaving the property to his son, Young Mac Donald. I know someday, when my numbers’ up, I too will follow in my brave father’s footsteps, and when I do I'd like my epitaph to read:
“HERE LIES TOM JR, A TOUGH OLD BIRD, WHO LIKE HIS POP, GAVE HIS LIFE SO OTHERS MAY HAVE A BLESSED AND HAPPY THANKSGIVING”
“BY THE WAY, NEXT TIME YOU'RE OUT FOR A DRIVE AND SPOT THE FAMILY AND I CROSSING THE ROAD, GIVE US A BRAKE; 'CAUSE IF YOU DON'T, I MIGHT FLY OFF THE HANDLE, AND ATTACK YOU.”
www.neversayuncle.com paletta4788@aol.com
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