Cinci Freedom

Cinci Freedom (born circa 1995) — also known as Moosama bin Laden, Charlie Mooken, Heidi, Stormy, Golda Meir, Bossy, and Ghost Cow of Clifton — is a 1,050-pound Charolais cow living in the Watkins Glen Farm Sanctuary in Watkins Glen, New York, who is particularly popular with animal rights activists and animal lovers.

Cinci's rise to stardom began on February 15, 2002, when she leapt over a six-foot fence at Ken Meyers Meats, an Ohio slaughterhouse, and escaped. After eluding the traps and tranquilizer darts of SPCA officials and police officers for 11 days, she was finally captured just after midnight on February 26 in Clifton.

Finding a permanent home for her was a source of much debate, as most considered her no longer eligible for slaughter. The Cincinnati Zoo declined to house her, citing health concerns and the possibility that she could not be safely contained. Jan Malley, a Northern Kentucky woman with a 12-acre farm, was also considered as a possibility. In late March, however, artist Peter Max offered $180,000 worth of paintings to the SPCA for use at their next auction. In return, he took custody of the cow, whom he named to commemorate not only her dramatic pursuit of liberty, but the city into which she escaped.

Cinci Freedom received the key to Cincinnati, but didn't wear it during the Cincinnati Reds Findlay Market Opening Day Parade on April 1, 2002, as planned, because she was judged too jumpy and nervous to participate.

She is reported to be doing well in the sanctuary and has apparently made a number of friends, including Queenie, who escaped from a slaughterhouse in Queens, New York.

References

* [http://wcpo.scripps.com/specials/2002/cow/"Mooovin' Along: The Official Chronicle Of The Cow On The Run"] WCPO.com, April 11, 2002
* [http://www.farmsanctuary.org/ Watkins Glen farm sanctuary]