A young cow is safe after escaping into the woods of upstate New York and surviving for nearly a year by joining a family of deer.

Bonnie the cow’s unlikely story began on a farm in Holland, N.Y., say her new caretakers at Farm Sanctuary, an animal advocacy nonprofit.

After the farm owner died in August, Bonnie and the rest of her herd were sold. But on the day her new owners showed up to take possession of their livestock, the 4-month-old calf ran for the woods and took up with a herd of deer.

Becky Bartels, who owned the property where the affectionately labeled “Cow-Deer” and her posse settled, reached out to Farm Sanctuary for help.

Farm Sanctuary National Shelter Director Susie Coston says it’s a “one in a million thing” that Bonnie is alive today.