A herd of cows caught in flooding after Cyclone Gabrielle swept New Zealand swam to safety as they heeded their owner’s calls.

Heart-warming footage recorded by farmer Max Buckeridge shows his partner, Kylie McIntyre, encouraging the “girls” to swim to the shore. Below them, the cows’ heads can be seen bobbing above the water, as they fight against the current.

Buckeridge told Storyful that the cows had been moved to higher ground when the storm was approaching. However, the high ground proved not high enough, given the speed at which the Waipawa River rose.

“When we got to these girls they were belly high in swift floodwaters,” he said, but the water rose to their necks within 10 minutes.

Buckeridge said that McIntyre panicked when the cows started swimming towards the river, and repeatedly “called out to her girls.” The herd, he said, turned as one whilst swimming, and back to their owner’s call.

Buckeridge said all 23 cows made it to safety and were examined by vets.

“All cows have made a full recovery and are now enjoying plenty of lovely grass, cuddles and treats from us all,” he said. Credit: Max Buckeridge via Storyful

Video transcript

- Come on, come on, come on. Come on, girls. Come on, come on. Come on, girls.

- Come on.

- Come on, come on, come on. Come on, girls. Come on, come on, come on. Come on, girls.

- Come on before the trees.

- Come on, come on. Come on, girls. Come on, come on, come on. Come on, girls. Come on, girls. Come on, girls. Come on, come on, come on.

Come on, come on, come on. Come on, girls. Come on, come on. Come on, girls.

- Come on.

- Come on, come on, come on. Come on, girls. Come on, come on, come on. Come on, girls.

- Come on, before the trees.

- Come on, girls. Come on, come on, come on. Come on, girls. Come on, girls. Come on, girls. Come on, come on, come on.