Joaquin Phoenix has helped rescue a cow and her week-old calf from a Los Angeles slaughterhouse.
Footage uploaded by animal rights activist and Farm Sanctuary president Gene Baur, shows the Hollywood star head to an American slaughterhouse to see if the owner would give up any animals.
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The event was filmed the day after Phoenix won Best Actor at the Academy Awards for his role in Joker.
He was joined by his fiancée and fellow activist Rooney Mara, both his and Mara's mothers, Earthlings Director Shaun Monson, Los Angeles Animal Save Founder Amy Jean Davis, and Mr Baur.
Joaquin spoke with the CEO of the Pico Rivera slaughterhouse, Anthony di Maria, and explained his animal welfare views. Mr di Maria said his operation was different from others across America in the way they don't separate their newborn cows from their mothers straight after birth.
The Oscar winner and his entourage were given a tour of the facility before Anthony allowed him to take a cow and her week-old calf.
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Emotional footage shows Phoenix carry the calf into the trailer, before he named the mother cow Liberty and her daughter Indigo.
The pair was taken to Farm Sanctuary, where they will live out the rest of their days in peace and quiet.
The actor said: "I never thought I'd find friendship in a slaughterhouse, but meeting Anthony and opening my heart to his, I realise we might have more in common than we do differences.
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"Without his act of kindness, Liberty and her baby calf, Indigo, would have met a terrible demise.
"My hope is, as we watch baby Indigo grow up with her mom Liberty at Farm Sanctuary, that we'll always remember that friendships can emerge in the most unexpected places; and no matter our differences, kindness and compassion should rule everything around us.
"Although we will continue to fight for the liberation of all animals who suffer in these oppressive systems, we must take pause to acknowledge and celebrate the victories, and the people who helped achieve them.
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"Shaun Monson, Amy Jean Davis, and the entire LA Animal Save community, have taken their pain of bearing witness and turned it into effective, diplomatic advocacy for the voiceless. As a result, Liberty and Indigo will never experience cruelty or the touch of a rough hand."
Gene Baur's video insists the visit to the slaughterhouse wasn't planned or coordinated to occur after Phoenix's rousing speech while accepting the award for Best Actor at the Oscars.
All eyes were on the actor when he said that the world needs to turn away from regular farming practices and angle itself to a more sustainable lifestyle. He spoke in particular about the cruelty involved in removing a calf from its mother straight after it's born.
Featured Image Credit: Nation EarthTopics: Celebrity, News, Animals