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Newborn Calf Transported from Dead Pile to Farm Sanctuary

Thanks to truck driver, "Mario" thrives at California shelter

Orland, CA- September 25, 2003 - A truck driver, who normally picks up dead cows for rendering, turned into an animal activist when he rescued a living calf from the "dead pile" of a dairy farm and arranged to bring the baby bovine to Farm Sanctuary.

The 45-pound Jersey calf, discovered by the driver as he approached a stack of dead cows for pickup, was alive and healthy, apart from a broken leg. Abandoned because of his injured leg and unable to provide milk for the dairy farmer, the male calf was discarded and left to die. The driver placed the calf on the front seat of his truck and the newborn was taken from the dead pile to Farm Sanctuary, which operates coast to coast shelters for abused and neglected farm animals.

Specialists at UC Davis Veterinary School repaired a fractured humorous for the calf, now named Mario. Two surgeons were assigned to Mario's procedure, but a total of five surgeons assisted during his four-hour surgery. According to his attending veterinarian, Dr. Marie-Eve Fecteau, "Everyone here was so touched by his story they wanted to do everything possible to make it work so that he would survive."

In spite of ongoing rehabilitation and an awkward splint, Mario bucks and runs the same as any happy calf. The six-inch incision on his upper leg has healed, and his appetite, attitude and affection for visitors and attendants are inspiring. There is no shortage of admirers anxious to give Mario his bottle feedings.

Unfortunately, every day, baby calves like Mario are abandoned on dead piles in stockyards, confined in wooden crates to create "veal," or dragged to slaughter. To learn more about the modern-day realities and cruelties of factory farming, visit www.farmsanctuary.org.

About Farm Sanctuary
Farm Sanctuary is the nation's leading farm animal protection organization. Since incorporating in 1986, Farm Sanctuary has worked to expose and stop cruel practices of the "food animal" industry through research and investigations, legal and institutional reforms, public awareness projects, youth education, and direct rescue and refuge efforts. Farm Sanctuary shelters in Watkins Glen, N.Y., and Orland, Calif., provide lifelong care for hundreds of rescued animals, who have become ambassadors for farm animals everywhere by educating visitors about the realities of factory farming. Additional information can be found at www.farmsanctuary.org or by calling 607-583-2225.