Calf Avoids Slaughterhouse by Cleverly Escaping to the Woods

Paula Liu
By Paula Liu
March 9, 2019Trending
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Calf Avoids Slaughterhouse by Cleverly Escaping to the Woods
Imminence cow Paris Farm Show. (David VIves/The Epoch Times)

A calf on a farm in Holland, New York, escaped after realizing that she was about to be sent to the slaughterhouse, according to Daily News.

Bonnie the cow was living happily on the farm for the first few months of her life. She was well taken care of and hardly left her mother’s side.

However, when the farm owner died, Bonnie, who was only four months old, and all the other cattle on the farm were rounded up to be sold. Bonnie would be separated from her mother.

Even though Bonnie was quite young at the time, it seems she was able to understand the distraught cries of her family members as they were moved on to the slaughterhouse.

Bonnie wanted none of that.

While the farmers were busy loading the cattle onto their transport, Bonnie prepared to make her escape.

She ran off into the woods.

Bonnie was successful in remaining unseen and undetected for months. Then, when the story of her escape spread and became more and more well-known, news of her escape turned into a story of inspiration for the people of Holland.

“Bonnie became something of a local celebrity,” Farm Sanctuary wrote in a Facebook post. “People marveled at the plucky calf who had resisted slaughter, and continued looking for her in the woods near her old home.”

At just four months old, Bonnie calf escaped slaughter, and spent the last year living among her deer friends in the…

Posted by Farm Sanctuary on Monday, 18 June 2018

The locals followed Bonnie through wildlife cameras that were scattered through the woods.

Everyone was wondering how a small calf would be able to survive on its own without its mother.

No one expected her to last as long as she did. But as it turned out, Bonnie hadn’t been alone—she had been living among a herd of deer that took Bonnie in under their care—something ‘un-herd’ of.

“Since cattle are herd animals—and Bonnie had lost her original herd—this support system helped her through a trying time,” Farm Sanctuary wrote.

Bonnie ate, slept, and ran with the herd of deer as they accepted the young calf as one of their own.

At just four months old, Bonnie calf escaped slaughter, and spent the last year living among her deer friends in the…

Posted by Farm Sanctuary on Monday, 18 June 2018

The residents of the town grew more and more concerned about Bonnie due to the cold weather. Her chances of survival appeared low.

Soon, as word got out to hunters that there was a cow was roaming through the woods with a herd of deer, some made plansto capture and kill Bonnie in order to make a meal out of her. There were also rumors that neighbors were going to shoot Bonnie if she trespassed onto their property.

Worried about Bonnie’s safety, a volunteer, Becky Bartels, who owns property in the area, wanted to help Bonnie and win her trust in order to get her back to safety.

At just four months old, Bonnie calf escaped slaughter, and spent the last year living among her deer friends in the…

Posted by Farm Sanctuary on Monday, 18 June 2018

“Becky trekked through the snow every day using a sled to bring food and fresh bedding for Bonnie,” Farm Sanctuary said. “In time, Bonnie began to trust her—even the deer started to approach Becky for some food and affection—and they settled into a routine.”

Bonnie had become quite elusive after her life of living with the herd of deer and was becoming harder and harder to spot.

However, Bartels knew how important patience was and how important it was to gain Bonnie’s trust because after all, Bonnie’s first interactions with humans had not been a good one.

“Unlike the first humans in Bonnie’s life, Becky saw and valued her as she truly was,” Farm Sanctuary said.

Bartels gained Bonnie’s trust slowly, and bit by bit, began the process of getting the young calf to a safe home. She also arranged for Bonnie to be transported and taken in by the New York Farm Sanctuary.

Now, Bonnie is in her rightful habitat, and this time, she won’t have to worry about being someone else’s meal. She will be able to enjoy herself in the company of other cows.

Just rescued! Bonnie from the Woods

Out of the woods after having been raised by deer for more than a year… Meet Bonnie, the runaway calf who would have been raised to give birth to beef cattle or enter production herself. ???? You can help Farm Sanctuary continue to heed the call for help and be the rescuer, educator, and advocate farm animals so desperately need. Comment with #donate and any dollar amount (ex. #donate $20) to donate right here on Facebook!

Posted by Farm Sanctuary on Friday, 15 June 2018

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