Bovine bolter
August 17, 2011
Reminiscent of a Hollywood blockbuster, the picturesque southern German state of Bavaria is in the grips of a fugitive hunt, with one of the country's leading tabloid papers even offering a reward for the escapee's capture.
But this plotline has one fact which sets it apart from most others: the female on the run is, well, none other than a cow named Yvonne.
Having successfully managed to evade capture since taking to the woods in late May, Yvonne is now the subject of a cowhunt that has captured the attention of authorities, hunters and locals alike.
Daily newspaper Bild published a 10,000 euro ($14,000) reward offer on Saturday after authorities told hunters they could shoot the cow on sight because she was a threat to traffic.
The decision was taken after the cow ran across a forest road in front of a police car. Local authorities said, however, her shooting should be "a last resort."
An animal sanctuary in Austria has even offered to buy Yvonne should she be taken alive, prompting the head of the reserve to travel to the region by helicopter on Monday in search of the beguiling bovine.
In an unexpected twist, even members of Yvonne's family have been enlisted to help locate their missing cow kin. Her son Friesi and sister Waltraut are expected to take part in the dragnet, Bild reported.
Author: Darren Mara (Reuters, AFP)
Editor: Martin Kuebler