Buddy the Beefalo

Buddy the Beefalo is a beefalo (a hybrid of a cow and a bison) who became notable for his August 2020 escape from a slaughterhouse in Connecticut. Buddy evaded all attempts at capture for eight months, until the Plymouth Police Department successfully captured Buddy in April 2021. After his capture, Buddy was transported to Massachusetts for a medical evaluation before traveling to Critter Creek Farm Sanctuary in Florida.

Escape and attempts at capture
Buddy first gained attention by escaping from a slaughterhouse near Plymouth, Connecticut, in August 2020. Amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, Buddy's escape and the numerous attempts to capture him became a media sensation. Plymouth Police Department captain Edward Benecchi led the effort to recapture Buddy, out of concern for his welfare and the danger of the black beefalo being hit by drivers at night. After spending a number of nights looking for and observing the beefalo, Benecchi created a trap using a local apple orchard Buddy frequented as a lure. Several attempts at capture were defeated by Buddy's highly cautious nature.

Capture and relocation to sanctuary
An opportunity for capturing Buddy presented itself when he broke a fence to join a group of cattle at a pasture in the area. Although the Plymouth police responded once his break-in was reported, Buddy escaped from the pasture before he could be captured. Buddy was once again spotted at the pasture several weeks later, and the pasture's owner worked with a veterinarian to finally capture him after 254 days on the run.

The Plymouth Police Union started a crowdfunding campaign to pay Buddy's "bail" (buying him from his previous owner, a farm) and raised over $8,500 to do so. The police department arranged for Buddy to be transported to Florida. Upon arrival at Critter Creek Farm Sanctuary in April 2021, Buddy reportedly adopted to life there quickly. He broke a fence shortly after his arrival not in an escape attempt but to break out of quarantine and be with the other cattle at the sanctuary.