NEW DELHI (AFP) -- A two-year-old calf that escaped slaughter at an abattoir in Mumbai for a Muslim festival has been named George, after the American president, a report said Wednesday.

George bolted and ran into a scrap yard where he kept butchers at bay for 20 hours, the Times of India reported.

The calf was finally rescued Tuesday by the Bombay Society For Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, which adopted him and named him George, after U.S. President George W. Bush, the report said.

"George is certainly a very lucky survivor as it is very difficult for any animal to escape the 'death camp' at Deonar (abattoir)," said shelter official J.C. Khanna.

"He instinctively knew that attack is the best form of defense, like the real Bush," said Khanna.

The calf broke away from the rest of the herd Monday while the animals were being unloaded at Deonar slaughter house in India's financial capital.

The terrified animal headed straight for the exit and found itself cornered in a scrap metal warehouse. George, who was among 20,000 animals destined to be slaughtered Monday at the abattoir "did not allow anyone to come near him", said Khanna. "Even our (shelter) officials could not control George."

The animals were being slaughtered for a Muslim festival Monday marking the end of the annual hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca.

Young George was now recuperating at an animal shelter from bruises suffered in his "life and death", struggle but was in otherwise fine condition, Khanna said.