Cow escapes livestock ship, swims to 24 hours of freedom

FREMANTLE, Australia, Nov. 14 (UPI) -- A cow that escaped from a livestock ship in West Australia was filmed swimming for freedom before spending 24 hours on the run.

The buoyant bovine was spotted swimming in Fremantle Harbor about 4 p.m. Sunday and Fremantle Sea Rescue responders spotted the cow hiding under the jetty near the E-Shed market before it jumped back into the water.

Fremantle Sea Rescue skipper Josh Gammon-Carson shared footage on Facebook of the cow swimming near a rescuer's jet ski while heading toward the shore.

The cow was guided toward land by Fremantle Sea Rescue personnel and a veterinarian about 7:15 p.m. and the animal fled on land past the Fremantle Maritime Museum.

The bovine led wildlife authorities on a nearly 24-hour chase through the southern suburbs of Perth before being caught by rangers who cornered it next to a fence in the North Coogee area.

Authorities said the cow will be returned to the livestock shipping company, Wellard Rural Exports.