Iowa Finally Catches Its Unique Marauder

The escaped water buffalo that was running loose in Iowa after fleeing its owner's farm was captured Wednesday, four days after its escape. Authorities spotted the animal—nicknamed by some online followers of the story as "PHill" after the city of Pleasant Hill, where it was roaming—Tuesday night in a sand pit. Since it was evening, and storms were headed to the area, they decided to wait until the following morning to attempt to corral the animal, KCCI reports. The Pleasant Hill Police Department worked with Polk County Conservation, the Blank Park Zoo, the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, the Altoona Police Department, and the Des Moines Police Department to coax the animal out of the water Wednesday and shoot it with a tranquilizer dart.

The water buffalo had previously been wounded by an officer who shot at it Saturday as it fled authorities, and after capture, it was taken to Iowa State's Large Animal Hospital. After its release, the Iowa Farm Sanctuary, a farm animal rescue organization, will take custody, the Des Moines Register reports. The animal's original owner has surrendered ownership, Axios reports. The man, Prem Nepal, had previously told authorities the animal was aggressive and should be euthanized. Nepal has a history of trouble with escaped animals, which the Register runs down here. (More strange stuff stories.)