Tater and Tot to live pardoned lives at Virginia Tech

BLACKSBURG (WSLS 10) - You're not the only one who's feeling thankful this Thanksgiving.

Two turkeys are happy to be alive after being pardoned by President Barack Obama on Wednesday.

The turkeys, Tater and Tot, are now at Virginia Tech, where they'll retire at Gobblers Rest.

This is the first time the president's pardoned turkeys were given to a university.

"We do a lot out outreach and extension for the poultry industry as big as it is in the state. Having these birds here to highlight the significance and economic impact of the industry will be great for us," said Rami Dalloul, an associate professor at Virginia Tech's College of Agriculture & Life Sciences.

The birds will be cared for by students and veterinarians in the university's animal and poultry sciences department.