Cow's triplets a 'statistical miracle'

PULLMAN, Wash., March 19 (UPI) -- The Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine said a "statistical miracle" occurred when a cow gave birth triplet bull calves.

Officials with the college said only about one in every 105,000 cattle births are triplets and they estimated the odds of a cow birthing triplets of a single sex at about one in 700,000, the (Kennewick, Wash.) Tri-City Herald reported Thursday.

The officials said cattle triplets only have about a 25 percent chance that they will all be born alive.

However, the Red Angus cow and her calves are all expected to leave the university in good health after the birth, which involved three veterinarians and five veterinary students. The school called the event a "statistical miracle."

"That's pretty cool," said Josh Dykes of Pasco, Wash., who owns the mother cow. "We knew when she was due and last night she didn't look very good. I thought she might die. I'm glad to hear she's all right."