The slaughterhouses of New York City have witnessed one daring escape after another in recent days, as first a lamb and then a goat and now a calf have managed to break free and make a run for it.

The male calf was found trotting north up the Major Deegan Expressway near Yankee Stadium in the Bronx on Tuesday morning with a tag in his ear and a look of panic in his eye. Animal rescue workers estimated him to be less than a year old.

A spokeswoman for Animal Care Centers of New York City said the animal was “very stressed” by the ordeal, during which he thrashed and kicked at the air near the concrete median as cars crawled past.

He was taken into custody by the Police Department, which named him after his escape route of choice: Major Deegan. His escape, and the ensuing traffic snarl, made him a sudden star on TV and social media.