New Jersey locals assumed that December 14th, 2023, would be just like any other Thursday, with a winter chill in the air, the morning rush hour, and trains running as usual throughout Newark Penn Station. Little did they know that a real-life bull — who would later be named “Ricardo” — would wander onto the station’s tracks and cause chaos among commuters. It’s been a year since Ricardo the bull made an unexpected visit to Newark Penn Station, leaving many wondering how he’s doing now. Read on for a recall of that memorable Thursday morning at Newark Penn Station and details about Ricardo’s life a year after his breakaway.
Photo Credit: NJ Transit
A Year Ago Today
On December 14th, 2023, a bull strayed onto the tracks of Newark Penn Station, causing train delays of up to 45 minutes. No one knew where he came from or how he wandered there, leaving some to assume that he had escaped one of the many slaughterhouses in the area.
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When Newark and Port Authority Police finally found the bull, they sedated him and contained him in a fenced-in lot behind a building on Frelinghuysen Avenue near Victoria Street. He was then taken to Skylands Animal Sanctuary and Rescue in Wantage, New Jersey, where he was given the name we all know and love: Ricardo. No injuries, to either Ricardo or NJ Transit commuters, were reported and trains resumed service that day.
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Where is Ricardo Now?
As of this writing, it’s been exactly a year since Ricardo wandered into Newark Penn Station. Shortly after being brought to the sanctuary, it was reported that Ricardo was dealing with an infection in his right hind leg, which needed immediate care. On Christmas Eve of last year, Ricardo was taken to an animal hospital where he underwent treatment. In February, he was released from the hospital and taken back to the sanctuary.
The Hoboken Girl team is happy to report that Ricardo has called Skylands Animal Sanctuary and Rescue his permanent home. Now and then, the sanctuary will post fun photos and videos of Ricardo enjoying his new life on the farm, including a series of photos where Ricardo is treating himself to a juicy orange.
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Ricardo is now something of a New Jersey celebrity, with all kinds of merch with his likeness, from plushies being sold by the NJ Transit to t-shirts with the slogan “Vote Ricardo, Vote Vegan” released on election day by the sanctuary. Petition to give him a GSP rest stop?
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About Skylands Animal Sanctuary
Mike Stura is the founder of Skylands Animal Sanctuary and Rescue in Wantage, New Jersey. What started with only a small piece of land, has grown into an entire farm of rescued animals. The sanctuary continuously takes in all kinds of animals, from chickens to goats to even bulls. Some come from slaughterhouses and live markets, while others are rescued from places of extreme neglect and abuse.
According to the sanctuary’s website, “No matter where they are from or from what dire circumstances they escape, [the animals] are provided with proper veterinary care, the best foods, water, a safe place to live, eat, and sleep, as well as lots of love around the clock.”
The sanctuary, which actively speaks out on animal rights and veganism, has also been working on a documentary titled Escape Artists: The Tale of Mike, Mike Jr, and Freddie. This project will tell the story of two cows who escaped slaughter thanks to the help of Freddie, a truck driver turned animal rights advocate.
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The Hoboken Girl team wishes Ricardo all the best. Stay in the know on all things Hoboken + Jersey City by following @thehobokengirl on Instagram and TikTok, sign up for our weekly newsletter here, and check out our events calendar here.
Social Media Accounts That Every New Jersey Resident Should Follow
While we continue to hold our collective breath on all things TikTok ban-related, we are confident that New Jersey residents will have no shortage of content. New Jersey is home to over nine million residents with several talented content creators, podcasters, innovative journalists, and passionate New Jerseyans, sharing hyper-local, in-the-know, content to make living here even more special. While The Hoboken Girl will still be dishing out all of our usual local stories, we’ve compiled a list of some other New Jersey outlets, creators, Facebook groups, podcasts, and more to stay up to date on all things New Jersey via Instagram, Threads, and other platforms. Keep reading for our growing list of New Jersey community content to follow up on with the impending TikTok ban.
*Disclaimer: This is a growing list and any exclusions are not intentional. If you have an addition or suggestion please email [email protected].
News
For hyper-local updates and happenings.
- @hobokennj + hobokennj.gov
- @jerseycitynj + jerseycitynj.gov
- @newarkisnow
- @newjerseyoag + njoag.gov
- @njgov + nj.gov
- @njspotlightnews + njspotlightnews.org
- @visithudsonnj + visithudsoncounty.org
- @visitnj + visitnj.org
- NJ.com
- Patch New Jersey
- TapInto
- Jersey Digs
- Hudson County View
- Jersey City Times
- Montclair Local
And of course, (shameless self-plug) don’t forget to follow The Local Girl brands:
- @thelocalgirlhq + TheLocalGirl.com
- @thehobokengirl + HobokenGirl.com
- @thejerseycitygirl
- @thebergencountygirl + TheBergenCountyGirl.com
- @themontclairgirl + TheMontclairGirl.com
- @thejerseyshoregirl_ + TheJerseyShoreGirl.com
- @thecatskillsgirl
- @thelocalgirlrealestate + realestate.thelocalgirl.com
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NJ-Centric Creators + Accounts
Here are some accounts we love:
- @aapinewjersey
- @bayshorebeyond
- @bestofnj
- @blackinjersey
- @blackownednj
- @christineelliza
- @findingfrancesca_
- @gsequality
- @hoboken_love
- @hobokengossip
- @hotspotsnj
- @jordanandjoelle
- @jerseycityconnects
- @jerseygirlthrift
- @latinosofmontclair
- @leahscucina
- @locallivingnj
- @marmodernvibes
- @megthings_
- @montclairfoodie
- @montclair_eats
- @newjerseyhistory
- @newjerseyisbeautiful
- @newjerseymemes
- @njdigest
- @njhipsturbia
- @newjerseyisntboring
- @njmom
- @njmonthly
- @only_in_new_jersey
- @parisandalatte
- @patrick_njoa
- @sallyslices_
- @sistersnacking
- @sliceofculture
- @talkdirty2yourfood
- @thatsbriannab
- @theerichammer
- @thegardenstate
- @twodopesfromjersey
- @vintage.newjersey
- @wandering_with_mariam
- @weirdnjinsta
- @whatninate
Podcasts
For history, entertainment + some NJ fun facts on multiple platforms.
- The Garden State
- Greetings from the Garden State
- Lost in New Jersey
- New Jersey Is The World
- The New Jersey History Podcast
- What’s Your Jersey
See More: This Montclair-Based Artist Designs Maps + Guides to Beloved New Jersey Spots
Local Facebook Groups
For community online + IRL.
- Entrepreneurs and Business Owners of New Jersey
- Events Happening in New Jersey
- Hoboken + Jersey City Insiders | The Hoboken Girl Insiders
- North Jersey Locals | The Montclair + Bergen Girl Insiders
- Jersey City Connects
- New Jersey Business Network
- New Jersey Food
SubReddits
For community updates and questions.
