Pleasant Hill police said they deployed ATVs to search bike paths and Little Four Mile Creek, where the water buffalo was last seen Monday afternoon.

They are also using drone technology, working with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and working with “local people who have experience in containing this species.”

“The safety of the Pleasant Hill community is our top priority,” the statement continued. “With a dangerous animal on the loose in our community, we are using all available resources to ensure the safety of our community and attempt to return the animal to its owner if possible.”

The Iowa Farm Sanctuary said in a statement on Facebook on Monday that if the injured water buffalo is found alive, they will “do everything possible to get him to a veterinarian immediately.”

According to the animal welfare group, the water buffalo escaped while being loaded for meat processing. The organization, which nicknamed the animal Hank, said it wanted to return him to the sanctuary, but added there was “a possibility that the owner will carry out his original plan.”

“We remain cautiously optimistic,” it said. “At this point, I think most of our state is hoping for a happy ending for Hank!”