Illinois State Police say four buffalo have been killed after escaping from a farm and blocking morning traffic on a major highway.

The animals shut down Interstate 55 in the area of Coal City and Braidwood, about 60 miles southwest of Chicago.

State Police Sgt. Chris Paluch (PUH’-luhk) says the buffalo were running back and forth across the highway Monday morning.

Police say the owners of the buffalo eventually shot and killed the animals.

Paluch says the highway has reopened and the owners were making arrangements to have the buffalo removed from the highway median.