Turkey pardoned by Obama euthanized

Despite Obama’s pardoning touch, turkey Peace died on Monday, a year after the bird was given a second chance at life by the president.

Peace, along with Liberty, were the two birds fortunate enough to be pardoned by the president in the annual ceremony a year ago.

{mosads}But a presidential pardon by no means ensures a long life. Peace, the 2011 alternate turkey, was euthanized on Monday after a weekend illness at his home at the Mount Vernon Estate, CNN confirmed.

Peace’s death comes at a time when millions of other turkeys, slated for Americans’ tables nationwide, face a similar fate. But Rebecca Aloisi, vice president for marketing at the Mount Vernon Estate, insisted the timing of the turkey’s death was merely coincidental.

“I appreciate where you’re going with this,” Aloisi said to CNN. “But I assure you that these birds are extremely well cared for.” 

This year’s turkeys, Cobbler and Gobbler, were pardoned by Obama on Wednesday and will also be housed at the Mount Vernon Estate.

“The American people have spoken, and these birds are moving Forward,” Obama said at the pardoning ceremony.