A water buffalo named Bear decided to go on a little adventure Sunday on Massachusetts' Mt. Wachusett.
This weekend's Farm Fresh Fest starts the season of festivals at the ski resort. The water buffalo was a big group among the crowd Saturday, but visitors Sunday missed out.
"The water buffalo had taken a little walk sometime during the early part of the morning, and then we put out the word to try to help find the buffalo," said Tom Meyers, the director of marketing for the Wachusett Mountain Ski Area.
The 2,000-pound animal was there to promote agriculture. Despite its size, water buffalo aren't aggressive, but could be dangerous especially if on a roadway.
"when I first saw it, it looked like this ferocious bull," said vendor Jane Lyon. "I thought it was a bull, but it was very mellow and gentle."
Westminster Police issued a be-on-the-lookout. Throughout the day, it was spotted several times. By mid-afternoon, police and members of the Massachusetts Conservation Department surrounded him.
"We contacted the owner," said Westminster Police Officer Jason Tamulen. "He went running right to the owner, who had a bucket of feed, and they corralled it."
Massachusetts
The latest news from around the state
Bear's owners at the Lilac Hedge Farm out of Berlin say nothing like this has ever happened to them. They're not sure how he got out.
"It seemed to have some porcupine quills in its nose, so they weren't sure if that was the cause of why it may have left its corral, but otherwise, very docile animal, didn't attempt to harm anyone or cause any issues," said Tamulen. "He's returned home safely."
