Three-week-old turkey Houdini escapes farm, finds sanctuary

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 14 Oct, 13:58 · Archive

A three-week-old turkey named Houdini has escaped from a farm and been taken to safety at Hopefield Animal Sanctuary in Essex. Members of the public found the bird and brought him to the sanctuary, where he now has a permanent home.

Houdini would have been raised and slaughtered to become someone's Christmas dinner had he not escaped. A spokesperson for Hopefield said: 'We're so grateful to the lovely people who helped him. Their kindness changed his whole future.'

At the sanctuary, Houdini will be given the opportunity to grow up in safety. According to Hopefield, he will 'have the chance to grow up, discover his personality and simply enjoy being a turkey.'

The escape is significant against the backdrop of UK turkey farming. An estimated 7 million turkeys are produced for the UK's Christmas market each year, and the sanctuary noted that most never get the chance to grow old.

Houdini's rescue represents a rare reprieve for a bird that would otherwise have followed the path of millions of others raised for the festive season.

How it is being reported

• Houdini pulls vanishing act in turkey farm escapeA three-week-old turkey named Houdini has escaped from a farm and finds safe home at Hopefield Animal Sanctuary in Essex.Colchester Gazette · 14 Oct, 13:20
• Houdini pulls vanishing act in turkey farm escapeA three-week-old turkey named Houdini has escaped from a farm and finds safe home at Hopefield Animal Sanctuary in Essex.Brentwood Guardian · 14 Oct, 13:20
• Houdini pulls vanishing act in turkey farm escapeA three-week-old turkey named Houdini has escaped from a farm and finds safe home at Hopefield Animal Sanctuary in Essex.Echo (Basildon) · 14 Oct, 13:20

In this story: Houdini · Hopefield Animal Sanctuary · Essex

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem