After more than 250 days on the run, Buddy the 900-pound beefalo has finally been caught by police after escaping en route to a slaughter house. Police then purchased the apprehended beefalo from the original owner to send him to a wildlife sanctuary.
The beefalo, a cross between domestic cattle and a bison – a species that can weigh up to 2,000 pounds – initially escaped its handlers while being loaded off a truck at a Plymouth meat-processing plant. The escape caused a stir in the local community, as police warned residents that the animal was “highly aggressive.”
The beefalo, who was nicknamed Buddy by residents of Plymouth who set up numerous social media accounts following his progress, took his time roaming nonchalantly around the woods. It turned out that he wasn’t so aggressive after all.
Resident Ann Luba said she had spotted Buddy “grazing comfortably” in the woods behind her home.
“When we walk and see him he looks at us for a short time and just walks off,” she said.
“He doesn’t bug anyone; let him be,” another resident said. “Just feed him, that’s all. He likes the free life.”
The Plymouth Police Department kept an eye on Buddy during his free reign, making sure he stayed healthy and did not pose any danger to residents. Eventually, after numerous failed attempts by police to lure him into a pen, Buddy wandered onto a local farm and joined the cows there. The farm owner managed to get him into a trailer and then handed him over to police, according to Plymouth police Capt. Edward Benecchi.
Police said in a Facebook post, “His capture was the result of a community effort from spotting him, feeding him throughout the winter and to the experts who were able to make the final capture. We would like to thank all those would brought this adventure to a successful resolution.”
In some sense, by escaping, Buddy achieved what he set out to do – to avoid the slaughter. Buddy will head to Massachusetts for a veterinary exam, and then to Critter Critter Creek Farm in Gainesville, Florida.
The police thanked everyone for the donations, of which they received upwards of $7,000 to be able to purchase Buddy, with the remainder going to the animal sanctuary in Florida.
“Without everyone’s donations this would not be possible,” police said. “Thank you for all your continued support and we wish Buddy safe travels and happy life.”
