Ricardo the Bull Escapes Slaughterhouse, Finds Sanctuary
New Jersey Transit commuters were delayed last week when a bull was spotted pacing near the passenger platform at Newark Penn Station. The longhorn steer had escaped from a local slaughterhouse.
The 800-pound steer, estimated to be about a year old, was wrangled by local law enforcement, who tranquilized the big guy and took him to Skylands Animal Sanctuary and Rescue in Sussex County, where they named him Ricardo.
The sanctuary reported on Facebook that Ricardo “had a long, rough day of fighting for his life,” but was doing well once he woke up, groggy but unbowed, after the tranq’s effects had worn off. “Ricardo is up, walking, eating, and drinking. We couldn’t be happier.”
It did not take New Jersey Transit long to cash in on Ricardo’s celebrity. The agency is offering a new plush toy in its online merch shop, a six-inch “Ricardo the Bull” for $20, of which “a portion of the proceeds goes directly to supporting the real-life Ricardo at the animal sanctuary where he has found refuge.”
And what a refuge it is. Ricardo will have plenty of space to roam by day and safe, warm digs by night. Skylands Sanctuary is a strong advocate for animal rights and an ardent promoter of veganism, so Ricardo will likely have a long and happy existence here.
“Just look at how handsome he is,” the sanctuary posted. “Can you imagine that people wanted to kill and eat him?”
We love a happy ending. Ricardo’s long, rough day is chronicled here.
Javier Perez / New York Times
Photo credit: Skylands Animal Rescue and Sanctuary via Facebook
