Two rare cows are missing from separate properties in the Adelaide Hills

Two rare cows have gone missing from separate properties in the Adelaide Hills, with their owners hitting social media to appeal for their return.

There are fears a rustler is operating in the Adelaide Hills after two rare cows went missing from separate properties.

Farmer Michael Trennary noticed one of his much loved highland cows named Rahley went missing from a paddock on Upper Pennys Hill Road in Onkaparinga Hills, about 30km north of Adelaide.

Mr Trennary shared a post on a community social media page offering a reward to find his missing cow after he searched his own property and neighbours’ yards.

Onkaparinga Hills farmer Michael Trennary noticed one of his much loved highland cows named Rahley was stolen on Monday night. Photo: Facebook.

“There was no sign of Rahley anywhere,” he said.

“Even had a drone fly through the scrub land behind us.

“Rahley’s mate Dougall is never more than a few metres away from him, so if one left the other would have followed.”

Mr Trennary said it was not easy to hide a 600kg cow under a tree and it would be difficult for an animal of that size to crawl through a small gap in a fence.

The farmer made a heartbreaking plea for his beloved highland cow to be returned.

“It has now (been more than 24 hours) since we saw him last,” he said.

Rahley the highland cow has been missing from a Onkaparinga Hills property in the Adelaide Hills since Monday. picture: facebook

“We will give a reward to any information leading to the safe return of Rahley.

“He needs to come home, and we really don’t care how that happens or who brings him home – just as long as it does.”

In a separate incident, a speckled bullock named Olaf went missing from Barrister’s Block Winery on Onkaparinga Valley Road at Woodside about 40km east of Adelaide between 8.30pm on Friday and 9am on Saturday.

Speckled bullock Olaf was last seen at Barrister’s Block Winery on Friday afternoon. Photo: Facebook.

Olaf’s owner Julia Brown also published a post on social media hoping to be reunited with her cow that was “the size of a labrador.”

Ms Brown told the ABC she searched her property and surrounding areas for hours and there was no sign of him.

She said Olaf was so little he could be picked up and carried and would fit in the back of a car.

“We don’t have a monetary price on him, he’s priceless to us,” she said.

“He’s a very loved little animal.”

A police spokesperson said there was no evidence to suggest the two incidents were linked at this stage, but investigations were ongoing.

“Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of the cows is asked to contact Crime Stoppers,” the spokesperson said.

Originally published as Two rare cows are missing from separate properties in the Adelaide Hills