Police were called to the highway near the Flushcombe Road intersection at about 2.40pm.

They closed the road and highway for about one hour, as they tried to herd the buffalo to safer ground.

The beast, nicknamed "Buffalo Bill", leapt over a railing several times, as police tried confining him on a grass verge.

The 18-month-old animal had escaped from a Blacktown Council enclosure, probably after recent rain had weakened its fences.

It took police and firefighters about 45 minutes to herd "Bill" into a council compound, where he was fed and given water.

"Bill" was not hurt, but Blacktown police said he was the most unusual escapee they had recaptured in some time.