Article: Size mate-ters for Bob the bull

Friday September 18, 2009

BACHOK: Size is a big problem for Malaysia's biggest bull. He cannot find a mate that can withstand his frame, which is bigger than a mid-sized family saloon car.

Standing at 183cm and weighing 1.5 tonnes, the cream-coloured, six-year-old bull is a cross-breed between a local variety and the Charolais breed known for its large size.

"I tried to get him to mate twice. Both times, the cows died because their backs broke when he mounted them," said owner Juharani Jafaar, a cafe operator here who calls the animal Bob and treats him as his pet.

Bob's daily diet consists of 50kg of Indian Napier giant grass and 5kg of food pellets.

Quality time: Juharani playing with Bob at his house in Bachok Thursday. — Reuters

Juharani, who bought Bob five years ago in Thailand, said: "He only weighed 300kg then but now weighs more than a tonne. He has been banned from entering any competition because he would literally dwarf the competition."

A spokesman from the Veterinary Department said Bob is the largest cross-breed bull the department has on record.

Apart from sex, size presents other problems for Bob. Juharani said the bull needed up to a minute to get up due to his girth, and his weight led him to suffer a stroke last year.

"I cried when he suffered a stroke, but am thankful that he eventually recovered and is now up and about."

The bull's playful nature earned him the name Bob, derived from children's animated television character Bob the Builder.

"He is like a child. I've taught him to stop, to lift one of his legs and to shake his head," said Juharani, who did not say if he ever intended to put Bob on a diet. — Reuters

This article was taken from: The Star Online: Nation 18 September 2009