Death ends 'beefy' steer's reign as world's biggest -

Stuff.co - NZ ^ | April 16, 2004

[UnklGene]

Death ends beefy steer's reign as world's biggest -

16 April 2004

They called him the world's biggest cattle beast and no one ever disputed it.

Now the 2000kg South Devon steer is dead.

For 14 years, the beast who became a star of screen and print entertained upwards of 150,000 visitors to the Owlcatraz centre at Shannon in Manawatu.

"We have done our best by him, but in the end, his heart just didn't take it," Owlcatraz co-owner Janette Campbell said. "He was living the life of Reilly here."

Big Red died while undergoing surgery to treat leg complaints.

Leg ulcers and "soreness in both feet" are par for the course when one is Big Red's size. He had suffered these complaints, intermittently, for some time.

Mrs Campbell was this week contemplating the loss of an animal that was so much more than just beef on the hoof.

"He's quite a big loss to us. He has been an icon here.

"The fact that he died in his sleep is a blessing, really."

She didn't know if it would be possible to replace the bovine behemoth.

"I am sure there's not going to be another Big Red jumping out of the paddock," she said.

But life is unpredictable, and one day a successor to Big Red – that farmyard leviathan – might just happen along.

Until then, his work will be continued by his brother – Big Red's Bro.

Bro has long stood in his brother's shadow. Now he, too, can have his moment in the sun before joining Big Red in pastures new.

[UnklGene]

[TomGuy]

STANDING TALL: South Devon steer Big Red has died. The world's largest cattle beast, which weighed two tonnes, is seen here with a keeper at the Owlcatraz animal sanctuary.

[mel]

Wow that is indeed a big steer.

[TomGuy]

After:

[battlegearboat]

Mooving story.

[Tennessee_Bob]

Beef - it's what's for dinner...tonight...tomorrow...and the day after...and the day after...and the day after...and the day after...and the day after...

[Bronco_Buster_FweetHyagh]

Leg ulcers and "soreness in both feet" are par for the course when one is Big Red's size. He had suffered these complaints, intermittently, for some time.

Sounds like a guest on the Jerry Springer show.

[UnklGene]

[jwfiv]

ultra big super size moo ping

[GreenHornet]

For 14 years, the beast who became a star of screen and print entertained upwards of 150,000 visitors to the Owlcatraz centre at Shannon in Manawatu.

What is "Owlcatraz"?.....a maximum security prison for nocturnal birds?

[Tennessee_Bob]

Hey - don't make fun of the jailbirds.

[GreenHornet]

Hey - don't make fun of the jailbirds.

Sorry.....I didn't mean to ruffle anyone's feathers.

(I'll be here all week folks).

[Ophiucus]

Fire up the grill...and your neighbor's grill.

[Ophiucus]

Sorry.....I didn't mean to ruffle anyone's feathers.
(I'll be here all week folks).

Is there a nested claws in your contract to get paid by scale?

Or am I egging you on?

[Oblongata]

I see Hitlery and some hot farm girl, but wheres the steer?

[Russian Sage]

And he's not blue.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

[TN4Liberty]

So does that leave Hillary or Rosie as the world's biggest cow now?

[cyborg]

LOL!!! Wow that's a lot of barbecue.