6 turkeys dropped from plane at Arkansas festival, 1 dies

YELLVILLE, Ark. — Six live turkeys were dropped from a small plane as part of a northwestern Arkansas community’s annual tradition, with one of the six apparently dying when it hit the ground.

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports (http://bit.ly/2dUo8zy ) that about 400 people attended the Turkey Trot festival Friday in Yellville, which is about 90 miles north of Little Rock.

The turkeys initially dropped straight down for a while before most got their bearings and glided to a landing. Festival goers took off after the birds trying to catch them.

Animal-welfare groups have condemned the tradition, which has been going on for about 50 years, however no protesters were seen.