Politics | President Obama Obama 'Pardons' Sea Turtles President, daughters, friends release four of them in Hawaii By Evann Gastaldo Posted Dec 28, 2011 8:10 AM CST Copied President Barack Obama holding hands with his daughters Malia, left, and Sasha, right, leave Sea Life Park, a marine wildlife park, with family friends, Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2011, in Waimanalo, Hawaii. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) See 1 more photo Apparently it’s not just turkeys that are eligible for a presidential pardon—sea turtles are, too. President Obama "pardoned" four of them yesterday during a visit to Hawaii’s Sea Life Park, releasing the 18-month-old turtles into Hanauma Bay. The president was accompanied by his daughters and a group of friends, USA Today reports. According to the pool report, the turtles bear "distinctive markings" as well as microchips so they can be easily scanned and identified if they surface on the beach. During the photo op, Obama didn't acknowledge a question about Yemen’s president, saying only, "OK, guys, good to see you. Hope you're having fun." Click to see how much this vacation cost. Read These Next Jimmy Fallon's pasta sauces are now kaput thanks to Epstein files. It's not great news for our neighborhood Wendy's restaurants. It takes deep pockets to buy a $400M slice of Rodeo Drive. Steve Bannon, Jeffrey Epstein, and a plot to 'take down' pope. See 1 more photo Report an error