Water Buffalo on the Loose around Des Moines

Posted: August 28, 2024 at 8:38 am

A water buffalo is on the loose in a town in Iowa.

Residents in the Des Moines suburb of Pleasant Hill have been warned about a water buffalo that escaped its owner and is now wandering loose in the town. When police were initially told about the animal on Saturday, they attempted to contain the animal but were unsuccessful. An officer fired one round from a shotgun and injured the animal, causing it to become aggressive. The wounded water buffalo escaped the containment attempts and is still on the run.

Officials say they don’t have the tranquilizers necessary to sedate an animal of this size. They’re using drones, ATVs and Ring camera footage from the public to track the animal’s whereabouts.