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US President Barack Obama pardons "courage" the National Thanksgiving Turkey - Source: Reuters
US President Barack Obama has granted his first pardon - to a 20kg turkey called Courage.
Accompanied by his daughters Sasha and Malia, Obama honoured a White House Thanksgiving tradition and spared the bird from what he called a "terrible and delicious fate".
He joked about wanting to forego the tradition and eat Courage.
"Thanks to the interventions of Malia and Sasha - because I was planning to eat this sucker - Courage will also be spared."
After his remarks, the turkey was lifted to a table and Obama raised his hand over its head to deliver a mock-serious pardon.
"You are hereby pardoned."
Obama says Courage will get to spend the rest of his life in "peace and tranquillity" at a Disneyland amusement park.
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