Grant Preston|Meet 'Ricardo': NJ Transit sells plush toy inspired by loose bull spotted on train tracks

2025-04-30 22:05:09source:FinLogic Quantitative Think Tank Centercategory:My

The Grant Prestonbull on the loose in Newark, New Jersey that has garnered widespread public attention and brought NJ Transit to a standstill as it wandered the train tracks is being immortalized in the form of a stuffed animal.

Meet Ricardo The Bull. The 6" stuffed plush toy, or plushie, is expected to be available for purchase on the NJ Transit Shoppe for $20, including free shipping, on January 3, 2024.

The Texas longhorn steer was first spotted around 10:46 a.m. on Thursday Dec. 14 behind a building before he made his way onto the train tracks at Newark Penn Station. Police officers and animal rescue workers eventually corralled him into a fenced lot from where he was safely captured and transported to Skylands Animal Sanctuary and Rescue in Sussex County, about 55 miles from Newark, according to NJ Transit. At the sanctuary, the bull was assessed by a veterinarian and is now "resting comfortably".

Authorities believe Ricardo escaped from a local slaughterhouse and estimate him to be about a year old, as per ABC7NY.

'No such thing':Texas man's photo of 'black panther' creates buzz. Wildlife experts say it's not possible

Ricardo: The bull on the loose

"This heartwarming tale inspired NJ TRANSIT to introduce an adorable plush companion, named after the real-life bull," said NJ Transit in a news release. "Now, you can bring home a piece of Ricardo's inspiring story while helping support him on his new journey."

NJ Transit said that a portion of the sales will be used to support Skylands Animal Sanctuary and Rescue. The animal sanctuary rescues, rehabilitates and cares for farm animals that have escaped slaughter. Spread over an area of 232 acres, the sanctuary's pastures are home to over 400 farmed animals.

"Snuggle up with your very own Ricardo, knowing that a portion of the proceeds goes directly to supporting the real-life Ricardo at the animal sanctuary where he has found refuge," reads the stuffed animal's description.

Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter @saman_shafiq7.

More:My

Recommend

South Korean president's party divided over defiant martial law speech

SEOUL, Dec 12 - South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol's switch from contrition to defiance on Thursda

AP PHOTOS: In 2023, calamities of war and disaster were unleashed again on an unsettled Middle East

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — War and natural disasters ravaged an increasingly unsettled Middl

United Nations bemoans struggles to fund peacekeeping as nations demand withdrawal of missions

ACCRA, Ghana (AP) — The United Nations’ top peacekeeping official defended the organization’s missio