Extract from ABC News
Feel good
Beachgoers enjoy welcoming Bruce down to Nanarup Beach in the Great Southern. (ABC Great Southern: Kate Forrester)
In short:
Bruce the Brahman bull is a much-loved family pet from Albany, in Western Australia's Great Southern region.
Owner Tom Kennedy is on a mission to educate the community about the Brahman breed, highlighting its strengths and misconceptions.
What's next?
Bruce the Brahman is set to star in an upcoming book, which will tell the story of his daily life and rising local fame.
A bull casually strolling along Albany's pristine coastline is not an expected sight for many beachgoers.
But at Nanarup Beach, 435 kilometres south of Perth, it is just another day in the life of local legend Bruce the Brahman.
The 1,100-kilogram bull has called Albany home since 2018, rescued and rehomed by former Kalgan Rodeo organiser Tom Kennedy, who said Bruce would have faced an uncertain fate without him.
The turf meets the surf: Bruce the Brahman's a beach babe
"I wanted a little fella that kids could actually meet … a real bull," Mr Kennedy said.
"He had no purpose at his old stud and was about to be sent to the abattoir, so I decided to take him in.
"It was all about showing people just how inquisitive and intelligent the Brahman breed really is."
A pet for the whole town
Almost a decade after the Kennedy family took him in as a pet, Bruce the bull has become a local celebrity in Albany.
He is often spotted riding in the back of Mr Kennedy’s truck, visiting various spots around the Great Southern town.
Tom Kennedy carefully loads Bruce onto his trailer, gearing up for a fun-filled day at the beach. (ABC Great Southern: Kate Forrester)
"He visits the bowling alley in town, I've taken him with me as I've been horse-riding through the bush, he's gone to the Boddington rodeo — all over the place," Mr Kennedy said.
"You simply just ask him, 'Do you want to go for a ride on the truck?', and he will just wander up to it and get on."
Mr Kennedy said people were often curious about the breed.
"People are often mesmerised by the animal — a lot ask, 'What's its hump for?'" he said.
"They're bred to resist ticks and require less food and water, so they can thrive in warmer climates, like in northern Australia."
Brahmans are a common cattle breed in Queensland, north-eastern Western Australia, the Northern Territory, and the north coast of New South Wales. (ABC Rural: Lara Webster)
An online star
In recent years, Bruce, who is also affectionately known as "Brucey", has become something of a social media influencer, attracting visitors from beyond Albany for a meet and greet.
Amanda Thomson said she had followed Bruce's adventures from the beginning.
"I grew up on a farm in Many Peaks, near Albany, with cows and bulls — and you wouldn't go anywhere near them," Ms Thomson said.
Amanda Thomson says she has dreamed of meeting Bruce the Brahman, having followed his adventures on social media. (ABC Great Southern: Kate Forrester)
"At first, I was dubious to approach Brucey, but then you just fall in love with him."
Mr Kennedy said that taking Bruce to different places was about much more than just meeting a bull.
"People right now need something simple and real to smile at, I think, and Bruce just has the ability to make people happy and laugh,"he said.
Beachgoers are taken aback when they spot a bull walking along the shoreline. (ABC Great Southern: Kate Forrester)
The celebrity bull has even landed his own book deal.
"An author from over east saw a video of Bruce chasing jetskis and contacted me about writing a story on him," Mr Kennedy said.
"She came over to meet him — so I guess that is the next chapter for Brucey!"
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