Rare Colorado 'Panda Cow' To Be Auctioned Off
LOVELAND, Colo. (AP/CBS4) - The owner of a rare miniature cow with a resemblance to pandas has donated the animal so it can be auctioned off to raise money for his endangered look-alike.
The so-called "panda cow" named Ben will be auctioned this month and the proceeds will go to Pandas International, a nonprofit group focused on the preservation of the giant panda bear. Ben is believed to be one of 25 registered panda cows in the world and they can sell for as much as $30,000.
"After hearing how many inquiries came to Pandas International, we felt this was a great opportunity to promote and help raise money for the organization's efforts," Ben's owner Chris Jessen said in a statement.
The miniature panda cow is the result of genetic manipulation. A white belt encircles the animal's midsection, and the cow has a white face with black ovals around the eyes, giving it a panda-like appearance. The Fort Collins Coloradoan reports that Ben was born on a Loveland farm on New Year's Eve.
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