A cow has managed to escape a moving cattle truck bound for a slaughterhouse - before going on to give birth to a calf just days later.
The pregnant animal, named Brianna, had jumped from 8ft above the ground onto a busy road.
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She was then taken to a sanctuary, which was when animal rescuers made the shock discovery that brave Brianna hadn't saved just her own life from the fate of the abattoir, but also that of her unborn calf.
Brianna gave birth to her calf - who was later named Winter - two days later.
Mike Stura, founder of Skylands Animal Santuary in New Jersey in the USA - where Brianna and Winter are now enjoying their new-found freedom together - said: "I got a call from a friend of mine who's a police officer.
"He said there was a cow running down a big highway out here so I hopped into action.
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"I got the rescue truck and headed out. When I got there the police had corralled her off the highway and on to a small road where they got a strap round her neck."
The 52-year-old continued: "She fell out of the transport truck from at least 8ft off the ground while the truck was moving.
"A witness said she kicked the door out and jumped out on the highway.
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"At first, the truck driver didn't even realise."
Stura secured Brianna to his vehicle and took her back to the Skylands Animal Santuary in Wantage, on December 27.
Mike, who has run the sanctuary for four years, said he had no idea Brianna was expecting when he rescued her.
"I had a vet come and he looked her over and that's when I found out she was pregnant," he explained.
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"The vet said, 'There's a very big calf in there and she's going to have it in the next week or so'."
However, despite the vet's initial suggestion that they might have to wait the good part of a week, Brianna ended up giving birth to Winter just two days later.
Luckily, Mike was around to help bring the newborn into the world.
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He added: "They're both happy and healthy, although Brianna suffered some abrasions during her escape."
Mike also said he wasn't sure if Brianna's desperate bid for freedom was because she was pregnant.
"Any way you look at it, all these animals want to live," he said.
"Without question, I could tell you she was scared to death of being in that truck. It's not good; they just want out.
"This story resonated with people but many don't realise how many millions go unseen with this sort of stuff going on every single day."
Featured Image Credit: SWNS