Sausage Dog Rescued After Surviving Solo For 529 Days on Remote Island

A runaway sausage canine named Valerie has been captured after a 529-day journey, transfixing Australia as she roamed an island teeming with kangaroos, possums, koala bears and penguins.

The miniature dachshund had eluded searchers on Kangaroo Island since November 2023, handiest infrequently showing in fuzzy glimpses stuck by way of night-time cameras that confirmed her purple collar.

“Valerie has been safely rescued and is alive and well,” the flora and fauna workforce that has been looking the wily dog at the southern Australian island stated past due Friday.

“We are absolutely thrilled and deeply relieved that Valerie is finally safe and able to begin her transition back to her loving parents,” Kangala Wildlife Rescue posted to social media.

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Valerie made her break out right through a tenting commute with house owners Georgia Gardner and her spouse Josh Fishlock, rushing out of a pen and instantly into the bush.

Her house owners gave up after days of looking the island off the coast of South Australia – greater than 4,400 sq. kilometres (1,700 sq. miles) of farms, nature reserves, and craggy cliffs.

The lacking mutt used to be no longer noticed for greater than a yr, with many protecting out little hope for her survival.

Then, video surveillance and locals started recognizing her, and volunteers introduced a affected person hunt for the hound, which perceived to flee from folks and automobiles.

“Valerie seems impossible to trap,” flora and fauna rescuers posted on social media final month.

Investing greater than 1,000 hours, volunteer searchers drove greater than 5,000 kilometres (3,100 miles) and deployed cameras, traps and lures.

Regular on-line updates to fans gripped by way of the drama gave hope they have been steadily last in.

Snatches of black-and-white video confirmed Valerie incessantly visiting a entice website, arrange with a cage, blankets and toys – regardless that the amenities additionally attracted native possums.

After in any case catching up with the wandering dog, volunteers at Kangala Wildlife Rescue posted that they have been taking a “short pause to process this amazing result”.

Despite their modest dimensions, dachshunds are “game for anything”, in keeping with the American Kennel Club.

“Bred to be an independent hunter of dangerous prey, they can be brave to the point of rashness, and a bit stubborn,” it says.

Valerie’s proprietor Gardner stated in a social media put up she used to be “incredibly grateful” to the volunteers who helped to find her canine.

“For anyone who’s ever lost a pet, your feelings are valid and never give up hope.”

© Agence France-Presse