Becerito and Peaches, continued

“He got incredibly strong very fast, and we knew we had to find a home for him as soon as possible,” Oksana said. “We had many offers from ranches, but I didn’t feel that any of them were appropriate for him. My mother came across a book on Black Beauty Ranch, and I thought that was the right place for him, even though it was far away and we would not be able to see him.”

Due to the De Carrasco’s compassion and dedication to Becerito, he not only survived, but has a permanent home at the Black Beauty Ranch. The De Carrascos have given a new meaning to the term “family values.”

Meanwhile, a Black Angus calf mysteriously appeared on Black Beauty Ranch property back in spring 2005—with a broken jaw. After checking with local ranchers to see if anyone was missing a calf and finding no one to claim her, the Ranch staff contacted a local veterinarian, who wired the broken bones in the little calf’s jaw. Surgery was the only hope for her if she would ever be able to eat, and, even with an operation, there were no guarantees. Staff diligently bottle-fed the calf for weeks. Although she couldn’t move her jaw, she was able to suckle milk, fortunately all she needed due to her young age. She gained strength and grew rapidly, and staff named her Peaches.

Gradually, Peaches was able to move her jaw and begin eating solid foods. Her growth accelerated with the ability to consume on her own, and she was completely weaned off her bottle when her jaw was healed and she was able to graze. Though she had a tough start, Peaches got through the trauma and recovery with flying colors and has no trouble eating all she needs now. Had her jaw been broken as an older animal, she definitely would not have survived. The fact that she was an infant when the injury happened made her open to adopting humans as her caretakers, and her suckling instinct, present only during infancy, allowed her to take in milk despite her broken jaw.

Becerito and Peaches were first introduced to each other in fall 2005 when each was strong enough for the other’s company and have been together ever since then in a temporary pen. Soon, they will both be allowed into the pastures of the ranch, where they will be around adult bison and cattle for the first time in their lives. When they reach their sexual maturity, each calf will seek out their own species, but until then, it is likely that this pair will be seen grazing together for many months to come.

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Posted: March 23, 2006