Two rare cows, including a beloved miniature cow named ‘Olaf’, have gone missing from separate SA properties, prompting fears they have been stolen.
Olaf belongs to Bannisters Block Winery, east of Adelaide, and although he’s fully grown, he stands just 60 centimetres tall.
Olaf’s carer Julia Brown said when he first went missing, she did not think anything “sinister” had happened.
”My first thought was ‘that little bugger, how’s he got out,'” she told 9News.com.au.
Because of problems with his birth, Olaf has remained miniature despite his age.
He weighs just between 30-40 kilograms.
Brown spent hours searching for him on Saturday and Sunday.
On Sunday, she issued an appeal for help on her social media, asking if anyone knew the whereabouts of the cow.
In the days since Olaf’s disappearance, Brown has searched every brook and stream on the property and spoken to her neighbours.
“So on Monday morning, I thought, ‘OK, now I’m looking for a carcass, maybe he’s been bitten by a snake or he’s fallen the creek because it’s been hot,” she said.
Despite combing the property, no sign of Olaf has been seen.
Last night, Brown said she was contacted by another farmer Michael Trenerry, whose prized highland cow Rahley had also been reported missing under suspicious circumstances.
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“So now I do actually believe he’s been stolen,” she said.
Brown said Olaf may have been targeted by thieves because he is “completely unique.”
“Let’s face it, everybody loves young baby animals, and if you can get an adult that stays looking like a baby, everybody’s going to want him,” she said.
Brown has spoken to the local police station to inform them, in case anybody finds Olaf.
She intends to report Olaf as stolen today.
Second rare cow missing from SA property
Michael Trenerry told 9news.com.au his beloved highland cow ‘Rahley’ had been missing from his Onkaparinga Hills property since yesterday morning.
Trenerry said Rahley disappeared without a trace, and he has been searching non-stop since.
“600 odd kilos of animal doesn’t hide under a tree easily, or crawl under a small gap in a fence,” he said.
“He needs to come home, and we really don’t care how that happens or who brings him home – just as long as it does.”
Trennery has offered a reward for information leading to the cow’s recovery.
He has also reported the cow as missing to police.