Photograph: Christopher Rimmer

Is it possible that cows are more similar to humans than we might think? Cattle in Pondoland, in the west coast of South Africa, are used to having a stroll down the beach every day, for reasons mysterious to mankind. Photographer Christopher Rimmer has spent a year studying and capturing this bizarre and beautiful habit.

As Rimmer explains, the cows sleep in barns and are set free in the mornings, where they decide to spend the day splashing around in the ocean, and just return home mid-day to be milked. And on hot days, they’re the first to take a dip, even if they are the most shark-infested beaches in the world…

Christopher Rimmer photographs cattle in Pondoland

The contrast between the beauty of the open sea, the coastal breeze and these majestic animals is simply magical. And what’s more marvellous is that the scenes have not been digitally altered. ‘I spent a long time observing these animals and, as resistant as I am to anthropomorphising, I could come to no other conclusion than: the bulls visit the beach daily because they simply enjoy being there,’ mentioned Rimmer.

Rimmer will showcase his work in New York this April, in an exhibition called Amapondo

Christopher Rimmer photographs cattle in Pondoland

Christopher Rimmer photographs cattle in Pondoland

Christopher Rimmer photographs cattle in Pondoland

Christopher Rimmer photographs cattle in Pondoland

Christopher Rimmer photographs cattle in Pondoland

Christopher Rimmer photographs cattle in Pondoland

Photographs: Christopher Rimmer