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Pet Buffalo Welcome In Owner's Home
A buffalo named "Bailey," has been a huge media sensation in recent weeks north of the border.
Owners Jim and Linda Sautner of Spruce Grove, Alberta, say they're surprised at how much attention 1,634-lb. Bailey has garnered, but admit that it's probably unusual for a buffalo to become a house pet. Bailey is tame
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Pet Buffalo Welcome In Owner's Home AG WORLD 28-2-21 A buffalo named "Bailey," has been a huge media sensation in recent weeks north of the border.
Owners Jim and Linda Sautner of Spruce Grove, Alberta, say they're surprised at how much attention 1,634-lb. Bailey has garnered, but admit that it's probably unusual for a buffalo to become a house pet. Bailey is tame because he was bottle-fed after his mother abandoned him at birth.
"Usually, bottle-fed buffalo calves become more aggressive by the time they're six months old," says Jim, who has a herd of 260 bison. "Bailey remained tame and gentle so we started bringing him into our kitchen and living room and he liked it. However, he sleeps on the lawn."
Bailey was castrated at one year of age to help preserve his docile nature.
A feature article in the Edmonton Journal set off the surprising media domino effect. The story of Bailey was picked up by Reuters news service and has since been featured in TV broadcasts (CBC and CNN), and newspapers including some in Australia, New Zealand, Scotland, Germany, Africa, Russia and all of Europe.
Bailey has been invited to visit fairs and parades from British Columbia to Quebec, but travelling expenses are a big issue, especially in this post-BSE environment, according to the Sautners who are scrambling to make ends meet on a daily basis.
"Bred cows that I paid an average of $6,200 for four years ago are now worth as low as $100 apiece," says Sautner, citing recent BSE scares. "Bailey's the only bright spot in the buffalo industry right now."
He jokingly says it's quite ironic that they've been receiving such international attention, and yet can't always afford a tank of gas to get across the city.
"Money is a real problem, but you can't let it get to you. If you've got your health and can keep a good attitude and a sense of humor, you'll be alright," he says.
The Sautners are hopeful that Bailey's fame might lead him to a career as a movie star.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Jim and Linda Sautner, Lot 2, 53222 Hwy. 44, Spruce Grove, Alberta, Canada T7X 3L3 (ph./fax 780 960-7155; email: jsautner@telusplanet.net; website: www.baileythebuffalo.com).
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