Beefalo still eluding capture

PLYMOUTH — More than two months since escaping a slaughterhouse, Buddy the beefalo is still on the loose.

Buddy made his escape from the loading area of Plymouth Meats on Aug. 3.

About two weeks later, Buddy was seen in a heavily wooded area off Route 72 and Judd Road.

In late August, Buddy moved to an 800-acre property owned by the local water company. Buddy had been staying in that area, moving around in a circular pattern on trails.

Plymouth Police Capt. Ed Benecchi, who has led the effort to capture the 1,000-pound bull, set up a cattle trailer stocked with all kinds of Beefalo goodies like grain, corn and hay.

“We are trying to spoil him. He gets greens, grain, corn and other treats,” he said.

A rope system has been set up to close the gate, along with a few pen rails that could lead Buddy into the trailer.

But Buddy hasn’t fallen for the trap.

Yes, there were times when it appeared that Buddy would go into the trailer.

One video shows him just a few feet away from capture.

Another video shows Buddy just hanging around the trailer.

Another time, he stood about 10 feet out into the field.

“It has become a game of chess,” Benecchi said.

A “stealth cam” was also set up near the trailer to track Buddy’s movements.

But now, Benecchi says, Buddy is on the move again.

“Currently, Buddy is hanging out at his original spot on Route 72 and Judd,” he said. “With the change of weather, he has stopped roaming to our capture spot. Once his food supply of leaves and grass gets smaller, he will roam again. Hopefully, back toward our spot.”

If Buddy is captured, he will retire to the Critter Creek Farm Sanctuary in sunny Florida.