This is the story of a baby water buffalo who, well, roamed.
After more than 24 hours wandering the Barrow County streets alone, a 7-month-old water buffalo was spotted and returned to her worried owners.
“She roamed about five miles, that was it,” Charlotte Cates, one of the animal’s owners, told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “What a relief.”
The young animal, who had just recently arrived at Wilderness Farm in Auburn, broke through her stall Saturday and escaped, Cates said. As the farm’s newest arrival, the water buffalo didn’t even a name, but was wearing a No. 8 tag.
After apparently crossing Ga. 316, the water buffalo was spotted late Saturday munching away, Cates said. But as thunderstorms rolled in, the skittish animal took off.
A panicked Cates told The AJC she was worried for the animal’s safety and for drivers, who may not see the water buffalo in the roadway. Cates alerted neighbors, called the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office and Animal Control, and told The AJC and Channel 2 Action News about the missing animal.
Late Sunday night, a woman driving on Patrick Mill Road spotted the water buffalo and called police, Cates said. Around 2 a.m. Monday, the animal was back at her new home.
The furry girl is being called “Precious 8” so far, but Cates said a contest may be in the works to help give the animal a more proper name.
“She’s healthy and very gentle, and probably glad to be home,” Cates said.
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