Valerie, a miniature dachshund, has captured hearts as she eludes capture over a year after disappearing on Kangaroo Island, Australia. Originally lost in November 2023, the adventurous beast has continued to thrive in the wild, identified by her signature pink collar.
Dachshund Valerie Survives a Year in the Wild on Kangaroo Island
Dachshund Valerie Survives a Year in the Wild on Kangaroo Island
A lost dachshund on Kangaroo Island has been spotted a year after her escape, but recapturing her remains a challenge.
With reports of multiple sightings and efforts from locals and wildlife rescue teams, hope is rising as Valerie's survival strategies come into focus.
Kangaroo Island, the fabled home of Valerie, has become a surprising backdrop of resilience and community support. Initially, Valerie's owners, Josh Fishlock and Georgia Gardner, were devastated when she escaped from her pen, leading them to search for five days before relinquishing their quest. "It was like finding a needle in a haystack," Josh lamented.
However, a recent update from Kangala Wildlife Rescue has reignited optimism. Their social media statements confirmed sightings of Valerie approximately 10 miles from her original disappearance point at Stokes Bay. Despite her identifiable pink collar, the capture team faces significant hurdles as the adventurous pup flees at the sight of people or vehicles.
Efforts to secure Valerie are ongoing, employing surveillance technology and trapping techniques to lure her within reach. "This is a tiny dog in a huge area, and we will need help from the public to report any sightings and a lot of luck,” the rescue team stated.
Jared, a member of the rescue team, expressed confidence in the search, noting they had successfully narrowed down her location. "We were initially skeptical, but we kept getting more and more sightings,” added Fishlock.
Valerie's journey showcases the unexpected survival prowess of dachshunds, which, though not built for intensive physical activity, possess resilience as independent hunters. The wildlife team is hopeful about achieving a positive outcome in their mission to reunite Valerie with her owners.
The community remains hopeful and supportive, yearning for the day Valerie can return home after her year-long adventure in the wild.
Kangaroo Island, the fabled home of Valerie, has become a surprising backdrop of resilience and community support. Initially, Valerie's owners, Josh Fishlock and Georgia Gardner, were devastated when she escaped from her pen, leading them to search for five days before relinquishing their quest. "It was like finding a needle in a haystack," Josh lamented.
However, a recent update from Kangala Wildlife Rescue has reignited optimism. Their social media statements confirmed sightings of Valerie approximately 10 miles from her original disappearance point at Stokes Bay. Despite her identifiable pink collar, the capture team faces significant hurdles as the adventurous pup flees at the sight of people or vehicles.
Efforts to secure Valerie are ongoing, employing surveillance technology and trapping techniques to lure her within reach. "This is a tiny dog in a huge area, and we will need help from the public to report any sightings and a lot of luck,” the rescue team stated.
Jared, a member of the rescue team, expressed confidence in the search, noting they had successfully narrowed down her location. "We were initially skeptical, but we kept getting more and more sightings,” added Fishlock.
Valerie's journey showcases the unexpected survival prowess of dachshunds, which, though not built for intensive physical activity, possess resilience as independent hunters. The wildlife team is hopeful about achieving a positive outcome in their mission to reunite Valerie with her owners.
The community remains hopeful and supportive, yearning for the day Valerie can return home after her year-long adventure in the wild.
