PLEASANT HILL, Iowa — A water buffalo is on the loose in an Iowa town, and police are warning people that it is injured and aggressive.
Police in the Des Moines suburb of Pleasant Hill responded Saturday to a call about an animal in the road. It turned out to be a water buffalo, and the owner told police the animal was aggressive.
That proved to be the case when police and animal rescue and control groups began trying to contain the water buffalo and return it to the owner’s property. Those efforts “led the animal to show its aggressiveness toward Pleasant Hill officers which resulted in one round being fired from a shotgun, injuring the animal,” police said in a Facebook posting on Monday.
The wounded water buffalo got away. Police used drones and ATVs to try and find it and brought in people with expertise in water buffaloes. As of Tuesday morning, the animal was still on the lam in the town of about 11,000 residents.
“If anyone sees a Water Buffalo, DO NOT APPROACH IT,” police said on Facebook.
Water buffaloes can weigh up to 2,650 pounds, according to the website for National Geographic, though the Iowa animal appears smaller in photos. Often domesticated, the water buffalo is the largest member of the Bovini tribe, which includes yak, bison, African buffalo, various species of wild cattle, and others, the website said.
Residents of a small town in Iowa were left on edge after a water buffalo escaped from a local farm and began roaming the streets. The animal had sustained an injury and was displaying signs of aggression, causing concern for the safety of those in the area.
Water buffaloes are not native to Iowa and are typically found in regions of Asia and Africa. They are large, powerful animals that can weigh up to 2,600 pounds and are known for their unpredictable behavior when injured or threatened.
The escaped water buffalo had sustained a leg injury, which likely contributed to its aggressive behavior. Injured animals can become more defensive and territorial as they try to protect themselves from further harm. This, combined with the unfamiliar surroundings of the town, likely caused the animal to act out in a way that was alarming to residents.
Local authorities worked quickly to contain the water buffalo and ensure the safety of the community. Animal control officers were called in to help corral the animal and return it to its owner. The injured water buffalo was eventually captured and taken back to the farm where it could receive proper medical attention.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of proper care and handling of exotic animals. Water buffaloes, like many other exotic species, require specialized care and attention to ensure their well-being and prevent incidents like this from occurring.
It also highlights the potential dangers of keeping exotic animals in residential areas. While water buffaloes may be a rare sight in Iowa, incidents like this serve as a reminder of the risks associated with owning such animals and the need for proper regulations and oversight.
In the end, the escaped water buffalo was safely returned to its owner and no injuries were reported. However, this incident serves as a cautionary tale for both animal owners and residents alike, highlighting the importance of responsible ownership and proper precautions when dealing with exotic animals.
