Each year , an American president ` ` pardons '' a day or two just before Thanksgiving . President Barack Obama has sent his turkeys to Mt . The tradition became official in 1989 , under President George H.W . Fuji for their ` ` twilight years '' But a pardon just means the birds are n't stuffed and eaten ; they 're not expected to live long . American turkeys are bred to be consumed , many of them at Thanksgiving .
Each year , an American president ` ` pardons '' a day or two just before Thanksgiving . President Barack Obama has sent his turkeys to Mt . Fuji for their ` ` twilight years '' But a pardon just means the birds are n't stuffed and eaten ; they 're not expected to live long . American turkeys are bred to be consumed , many of them at Thanksgiving .