U.S President Barack Obama spared Wednesday the life of Courage the turkey, who avoided ending up on the president's Thanksgiving dinner plate only because of the intervention of the First Daughters, AFP reads.

“There are certain days that remind me of why I ran for this office,” Obama joked, adding that “then there are moments like this when I pardon a turkey and send it to Disneyland,” the source reads.

“Today, I am pleased to announce that thanks to the interventions of Malia and Sasha, because I was planning to eat this sucker, 'Courage' will also be spared this terrible and delicious fate,” AFP quotes Obama.

“That's a good-looking bird,” U.S. President said, looking at the 45 pound turkey (20 kg).

U.S. President informed that the origin of this odd ritual dated when John F. Kennedy was presented with a Thanksgiving turkey, having a message around the neck, “Good Eatin', Mr. President,” source says.