Connecticut’s beloved folk hero Buddy the Beefalo, the runaway bison-cattle cross who captured hearts from Plymouth to New Haven, has died peacefully at a Florida farm sanctuary.
His unlikely journey from a local slaughterhouse escapee to a symbol of second chances touched residents in towns across the state, from Hartford and Waterbury to Bridgeport, Stamford, New Britain, Norwich, and Danbury. His legacy still echoes far beyond Connecticut’s borders.
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From Plymouth Slaughterhouse Escape to Statewide Legend
Buddy’s story began on August 3, 2020, in Plymouth, Connecticut, when he bolted from a trailer outside a slaughterhouse and vanished into the woods and farm fields nearby.
An eight-month saga followed, turning what could’ve been a routine mishap into a statewide phenomenon. Folks in both small towns and big cities like Hartford and New Haven kept tabs on every twist.
Buddy wasn’t just any steer. As a bison-cattle cross—what people call a “beefalo”—he had the brawn of a bison and the look of a cow. He managed to be both imposing and, honestly, kind of adorable.
Residents from Waterbury to Bristol swapped grainy photos and stories of roadside sightings as he wandered back roads and farm properties. Somehow, he always stayed just out of reach.
The Long Search Led by Plymouth Police
Plymouth police, led by former Capt. Ed Benecchi, took charge of the search. Officers had to balance public safety with animal welfare, warning drivers, hunters, and hikers to steer clear if they spotted him.
Buddy’s size and strength could’ve been dangerous, but his stubborn will to stay free made people root for him—even in places as far off as Norwich and Danbury.
Authorities set up humane traps and baited enclosures, but Buddy always found a way out. Each failed attempt just made his story grow, and people started seeing him as a symbol of New England grit.
Capture, Compassion, and a One-Way Ticket to Sanctuary
On April 13, 2021, Buddy’s run finally ended when someone found him calmly mingling with cows. After months on the loose, his capture was surprisingly peaceful.
The conversation quickly changed from how to catch him to what’s next. People all over Connecticut, from Bridgeport to Stamford, made it clear: they didn’t want Buddy going back to a slaughterhouse.
In a move that really showed how much his story mattered, Buddy was bought and sent to Critter Creek Farm Sanctuary in Gainesville, Florida. There, he got the safe home so many had hoped he’d find.
Life at Critter Creek Farm Sanctuary
Buddy’s independent streak didn’t fade at Critter Creek. Sanctuary staff noticed right away—he’d jump fences and always look for the company of cows, just like he did back in Connecticut.
With time, Buddy settled down. The sanctuary described his years there as calm and stress-free. He enjoyed regular food, open pasture, and space to roam—luxuries that, honestly, he’d earned.
Final Days and Peaceful Passing in Florida
In his final days, Critter Creek staff shared that Buddy got stuck in mud and needed help. They gently used a strap around his horns to pull him free, a tricky job for such a big animal.
At first, he bounced back, eating and drinking as usual. Later, when he struggled to stand, an emergency vet found he had nerve compression.
Despite their efforts, Buddy seemed to just fall asleep and never wake up. There’s no official cause of death, but it looks like he passed quietly—a small comfort for everyone who followed his journey from Connecticut.
A Folk Hero Remembered Across Connecticut
Buddy’s life and death did more than just fill a news cycle. His story inspired the children’s book Buddy the Beefalo Escapes! and introduced younger readers in towns from New Haven to Norwich to ideas like compassion, freedom, and respect for animals.
People remember Buddy as more than just an escaped animal now. He stands out as a symbol of defiance and survival, and maybe even a shot at a second chance—especially when the odds seem impossible.
If you lived in Connecticut during his wild saga, you probably saw how Buddy made everyone rethink the value of a single life. One determined creature can really shake up the way an entire state sees things, can’t it?
- Escaped: Aug. 3, 2020, Plymouth, CT
- Time on the run: About eight months
- Captured: April 13, 2021
- Sanctuary: Critter Creek Farm Sanctuary, Gainesville, FL
- Legacy: Children’s book, statewide folk hero, symbol of animal compassion
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