The great cow escape of 2025

On July 3, more than 30 cows escaped from Elburn's Rustic Road Farm and wandered onto nearby roads and fields. An all-hands-on-deck search ensued, and nearly all have been found and returned to the farm.

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📸 Credit: Rustic Road Farm on Facebook

The Kane County Sheriff's Office reported on the morning of July 3 that deputies were working to round up a group of escaped cattle in unincorporated Maple Park near Keslinger, Meredith and Watson Roads.

The Daily Herald then confirmed that a herd of 32 cows had escaped from Rustic Road Farm in Elburn.

After days of searching, nearly all of the 32 cattle that escaped have been safely returned. As of Saturday night, one was still on the loose.

The search has involved a wide range of helpers: SmithicAir drone pilots, 2B Wild Cattle Catching Services (complete with horses and dogs), Rustic Road Farm staff, and supportive neighbors.

See for yourself

The groups posted updates to social media during the search, including:

Rustic Road Farm thanked everyone involved, calling the search team “relentless in their pursuit” of the herd.

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