This isn't what you expected
A Sentience Article from All-Creatures.org

FROM Indraloka Animal Sanctuary
November 2021

You've never seen a turkey this close before. Kneeling down in front of him, you look into Mongo's eyes and see something you didn't expect—curiosity.

Turkey Mongo
Mongo!

Mongo parades around Mojo's Bird Village at our sanctuary, gobbling and flaunting his feathers. His bright eyes look directly at you, considering whether or not he'd like you to pet him. In the end, he decides that he does and walks closer.

You reach out a tentative hand and feel the soft skin of his head. He decides that your shoe is the perfect perch and stands on it.

You feel the weight of him. He's a tall bird, coming up past your knees. You've never seen a turkey this close before. Kneeling down in front of him, you look into Mongo's eyes and see something you didn't expect—curiosity.

He's just as curious about you as you are about him. He looks like every picture you've ever seen of a turkey—proud, colorful, and full of life. This too is not what you expected. You expected to feel nothing.

Instead, you feel something like love.

rescued Turkeys


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