She was the bane of Poland’s farming industry, rampaging across the countryside and leaving a trail of destroyed crops in her wake.
For almost two years no one could catch Matylda the cow, who escaped from her owner’s farm in Zloty Stok in 2013.
But now the elusive brown cow has finally been caught by her owner, whose efforts to coax her back included chasing her on horseback, laying snares and pursuing her with dogs.
The cow had become a “master of survival” according to Polish news broadcaster tvn24, enduring two freezing winters during her time on the run.
But life in the wilderness took its toll on Matylda, who has returned with an array of scars and lost one of her baby calves.
Owner Leszek Zasada has spoken of his relief at her return and revealed that he set an elaborate series of traps for the cow, but nearly all of them failed.
“We tried to chase her on horseback and also with dogs but it didn’t work,” Mr Zasada told tvn24.
Locals began to lay snares for Matylda in a nearby forest where she enjoyed a free range lifestyle after her escape.
He also hired a vet to try and transquilise the cow, but this only “enraged her further,” he said.
Other farmers were infuriated by Matylda, who had taken to destroying their crops, he added.
Shooting the animal was out of the question because it is prohibited under Polish law – so in the end Mr Zasada tried a more unorthodox solution.
“For a few days I tried courting the cow. I would bring her salt, apples and cabbage, and it worked.”
Source – AGweb