Sweden
Excited cows released after winter
A herd of cows have got their first chance to roam the green fields of a dairy farm in southern Sweden following a long, dark winter cooped up inside.
Dozens of visitors gathered on the farm to witness the annual "cow release" – a marker of the start of spring in the northern European nation.
Despite some initial trepidation when the barn doors opened, the cattle soon charged into the open fields, running and hopping around as they stretched their legs for the first time in several months.
The cows will now spend the spring and summer months roaming the fields, until they return to the barn in September or October.
Due to Sweden's northern position, daylight levels vary considerably over the course of a year.
In January, daylight only lasts for a few hours, while in the country's north there is round-the-clock darkness.
