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John Hollenhorst ReportingA Central Utah rancher thinks one of his animals deserves to be in the Guinness Book of World Records because it may have the biggest horn of any animal on earth!
We can't vouch for the world record, but we can tell you Woodie the Watusi Bull is an astonishing animal. So is he a wonder of nature or a freak of nature?
Watusi Cattle tend to make a big impression. They come from Africa and they're known for their big, spectacular horns. But nothing quite prepares you for the sight of Woodie -- a big Watusi Bull on Duane and Kolene Gilbert's ranch in Emery County. He can barely hold up the horn on his left side. It drastically outweighs his right.
Duane Gilbert: “As far as we know, this is the largest horned animal there is.”
Duane Gilbert measured Woodie's left horn --40 and half inches around. Three inches more than the existing world record. It’s anybody's guess how much the horn weighs.
Duane Gilbert: “He can stand there and he can prop it on the ground and give it a rest. When he wants to go somewhere he just picks his head up and he goes.”
Woodie's been tipping his head to the left since he was a youngster. That may explain a few things.
Duane Gilbert: "He tilts his head like this, there's so much blood in those horns, that the blood actually stimulated growth, and the way he's tilted it. It makes the lower horn grow bigger."
Many people get uncomfortable when they see Woodie because he looks uncomfortable. But Gilbert says two vets concluded Woodie is not in pain and is in fine health. A Humane Society spokesman who looked at our video says it appears to be a natural occurrence, and not a concern.
Gene Baierschmidt, Humane Society: “So it may look grotesque, but if it’s not causing the animal any suffering, then it’s really not a humane issue.”
Gilbert says Woodie comes from strong, healthy genes. And Woodie himself has always been vigorous. He's fathered about 10 calves so far.
Duane Gilbert: "Is he a freak? No, he's not a freak. He's gifted."
Some people have wondered if Woodie would feel better if they just cut off his horns. But Gilbert says that can't be done because there's too much blood flow. Besides, he says Woodie is happy. "He's got grain and hay in front of him and he's making babies," Gilbert says. "What more could he want."
