Giant California Holstein vies for 'tallest bovine' title

EUREKA, Calif. (AP) - Holy cow! A giant, one-ton Holstein steer who loves to eat bread and romps like a puppy at a Northern California zoo is vying for the title of tallest bovine in the world.

The Holstein, named Danniel, measures 6 feet, 4 inches from the hoof to the withers, a smidge taller than the current record holder, the Eureka Times Standards reported Wednesday (http://bit.ly/2clzpLU).

A veterinarian and his keepers at the Sequoia Park Zoo in Eureka, California, measured Danniel Tuesday to confirm his height but Guinness World Record has yet to verify the measurement.

According to the Guinness website, the tallest bovine ever was Blosom, a cow from Orangeville, Illinois, that measured 6 feet, 2 inches. Blosom died last year at the age of 13.

Owner Ann Farley says Danniel is a gentle giant who loves hay and bread and acts like a puppy, trotting over to whoever calls his name.

"He's a handful to keep pinned but he's part of the family," Farley said.

Caring for the giant steer can be a challenge, said Amanda Auston of the Sequoia Park Zoo, adding that Danniel eats about 50 pounds of hay every day and produces up to 150 pounds of dung a day.

"It's a small enclosure so we have to pick it up all the time," she said, "I would like him to have more room to wander around and graze and do some more natural behavior."

The Farleys are looking to find Danniel a permanent home.