‘Aggressive’ Water Buffalo On the Loose in Des Moines Suburbs

Animal sightings here in Iowa tend to make headlines. We all gasp when a mountain lion or more recently, a bear is sighted near our neck of the woods. Well is Des Moines they are currently on the lookout for a water buffalo that has been roaming free and terrorizing neighborhoods for several days.

The Des Moines Register reports that Pleasant Hill police are continuing their search for a water buffalo that was shot by officers over the weekend. Police were dispatched on Saturday after a report of the large animal in the street. The Register reports that the animal was identified as a water buffalo that had escaped its owner's property. Police began coordinating with Animal Control and the Animal Rescue League on how to capture the animal.

When officers approached the animal it became aggressive and an officer shot it once with a shotgun according to the Register. The Animal Rescue League and Animal Control do not have tranquilizers to sedate an animal that big. The Register reports that the water buffalo was last seen in Little Fourmile Creek heading southbound toward Scott Avenue.

The Register reports that police are using a drone in their search for the water buffalo and officers are using ATVs to search bike trails along the creek. Police are urging residents to stay away from the animal and if they see it call the Pleasant Hill Police Department at 515-265-1444.

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