Carolina Wild Ones via Facebook
A heartwarming story out of North Carolina comes following the discovery of three cows who were swept off of Cedar Island during Hurricane Dorian. By the time Dorian got to North Carolina, it was only a Category 1 storm.
However, it still swept dozens of animals from their coastal homes out to sea. Officials estimated that some 20 cows and 28 wild horses were killed.
The three cows were spotted at the Cape Lookout National Seashore, “grazing peacefully together on federal grass.” This is great news for the cows, as they likely had to swim roughly four miles across the Core Sound from Cedar Island when they were swept out to sea by the storm surge.
Officials stated that the cows were very lucky that they managed to swim around the sound, and not out to sea.
Cape Lookout Spokesman B.G. Horvat gave an interview on the happy news after the cows were spotted. “Remember, the cows and all the horses were swept away with the water surging back. Who knows exactly, but the cows certainly have a gripping story to share.”
Horvat stated that the large animals were extremely fortunate to have washed up where they did: on public land, in full view of government officials and not far from their home island.
The “sea cows” were lucky to survive their harrowing ordeal out at sea. They are part of a 20-member herd that once roamed and grazed on public land on Cedar Island. Officials worry, however, that their herd may have been entirely swept out to sea and drowned during Dorian. The discovery of the three survivors at Cape Lookout was welcome news.
It’s possible that a few of the wild bovines are still on Cedar Island. Officials seek to return the wayward cows to their home island, though it will likely require them to be sedated before they make the boat journey back to their isle of origin.
In either event, the cows are currently safe at Cape Lookout, as the shore there is a national park and the animals are technically government property.
