Cattle Drifting Away in Flood Hear Owner's Voice and...

Swimming 500m Against the Current Toward the Voice
Some Cows Show Pneumonia Symptoms, Others Are All in Good Condition

In New Zealand, more than 20 cows that were swept away by a rapid current made headlines after they heard their owner calling and swam with all their might to safely get out.

According to local New Zealand media such as the New Zealand Herald on the 16th (local time), this incident occurred on the 14th in the Waipawa area of Hawke's Bay. At that time, Cyclone Gabrielle hit the North Island of New Zealand, causing the pasture to be submerged in water in an instant. As a result, 23 cows in the pasture began to be swept away by the rapid current. The owner of the cows, Kylie MacIntyre, stood on a hill and anxiously called the cows with her unique voice while looking down at the water flow.

The owner shouting on the hill (right) and the cows swimming.
Photo by Yonhap News

Even in the desperate moment when the water rose up to their necks, the cows heard their familiar owner's voice and all turned their bodies in the direction of the sound and started swimming. After swimming about 500 meters through muddy water, all the cows came out of the water.

The touching story of the herd and their owner became known to the world after Waipukurau Animal Hospital, which examined the cows, posted a video and text about the story on Facebook. Before being moved to a safe place again, the cows were examined and treated, and except for five cows showing symptoms of pneumonia, all were in good condition.

Dr. Ann Lupuha-Zelling, the veterinarian who examined the cows, said, "Aren't the cows really amazing? Seeing that they swam 500 meters after hearing their owner's encouragement, it is clear that the owner loves the cows, and the cows love him."

The New Zealand Herald explained, "Cows are surprisingly good swimmers and can swim several kilometers at a time in quiet environments. However, they generally tend to swim only when absolutely necessary, and in flood situations with strong currents, there is a high risk of drowning."

National Emergency Declared Due to Cyclone Striking North Island

On the 14th (local time), a coastal village near Napier City on New Zealand's North Island, struck by Cyclone Gabriel, is submerged in water.
[Photo by AFP]

Meanwhile, due to Cyclone Gabrielle that struck the North Island of New Zealand from the 12th to the 14th, three people died and property damage occurred one after another. According to New Zealand media on the 15th, a national emergency was declared on the North Island, where heavy rain accompanied by strong winds caused house flooding and damage, road collapses, and power outages. New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said, "Cyclone Gabrielle is turning out to be the largest and most serious weather event to hit New Zealand recently."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.