Locals deem calf lucky after she's born with two heads
A mutant baby cow with two heads has been born in Indonesia.
The healthy female calf was delivered on a farm in Pondok Wuluh Village in East Java on August 9.
She appeared to be suffering from polycephaly, with four functioning eyes and two separate mouths.
Neighbours have been gathering all week inside the farmer's cow shed to see the creature, which many believe to be lucky.
Despite her unusual appearance, she has been able to drink bottle milk through both of her mouths.
She can even clamber to her feet with help from the farmer.
Hariyanto Yanto, the owner's nephew, said they have been giving the calf vitamins to boost her health.
“We are all afraid that she will not be able to live long because of her condition so we have been giving her milk and supplements,” he said.
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“Nobody knows why she was born like this but we are all saying prayers for her.”
The calf is still unable to walk but officers from the local Animal Husbandry Department said not to worry as it can sometimes take between three and five days before newborns can stand.
The region's Livestock and Health Service Office head Yahyadi said they visited the calf to check its condition.
“We were told that while still in the womb, both the mother and calf were given vitamins,” Yahyadi said.
“The baby is just unique because it has two heads that are close together. We do not know how long it will live for.”
Yahyadi added that the calf was a result of manual mating, without the help of insemination.
To ensure its health, Yahyadi said they will send vets to help take care of the calf.
“We will supervise the care of the calf for research. We have assigned officers and veterinarians to help take care of it,” he said.
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