A runaway dachshund who disappeared into the wilderness more than a year ago was noticed alive – the nature experts are left behind.
When Valerie was missing on an Australian island in November 2023, all the opportunities were stacked against her and she was thought 'impossible' that she would survive.
Owner Georgia Gardner had been on holiday with her partner Josh Fishlock before a disaster hit when the little dog escaped from her pen on a campsite on the island of Kangaroo.
Search parties searched the area for each sign of the dog – which weighed only 4 kg and bore a pink collar – but she seemed to have disappeared without a trail.
Mrs. Gardner Was broken for days and crying for days thinking that she had lost her beloved companion who would usually “never leave her side.”
“We probably brought five days of the rest of our journey looking for her, but unfortunately without happiness,” Mr. Fishlock told Nine News.
After failed attempts to find their pet, the couple had to return to New South Wales empty -handed.
But now the hope of the pair is to be reunited with Valerie, after a clear observation have been lit again.
Mrs. Gardner had been on holiday with her partner Josh Fishlock before the disaster struck and Valerie escaped from her pen on a campsite on the island of Kangaroo. Displayed: Georgia Gardner and Josh Fishlock with Valerie
When Valerie was missing in November 2023 on an Australian island
The couple heard via social media that the little dog was seen on the island. Shown: the dog supposed to be Valerie in a photo taken by a Kangaroo island locally during the search
The couple heard via social media that the little dog was seen on the island.
Mr. Fishlock said Nine News: 'We were initially a bit skeptical about all the observations, then only three weeks ago, when we got a picture of one of the locals and that led to a lot of hope in us.
“It has given us almost 100 percent certainty that she is still alive.”
Kangala Wildlife Rescue originated in action and offered her services for Valerie's search after he told the news.
The organization wrote on its Facebook page last week: “Based on first-hand accounts, we now know that Valerie lives.”
“She runs on the first sign of people or vehicles, and despite the best efforts of dedicated island wage, Valerie is impossible to catch.”
The dog was last seen 15 km from where she was missing, according to the Wildlife Rescue Service that now falls and has set up cameras to try to hide the little dog from hiding.
Mrs. Gardner said that she and Mr. Fishlock could not believe it when they heard that Valerie had been seen alive.
“It was so crazy. Even with the really recent observations, we were both just like: “No, don't pick up,” she told Guardian Australia.
“But especially with the photo we sent and with confidence in Kangala Wildlife Rescue, we are just starting to rande,” Ok, how do we go to the island when we have to pick her up? “She added.
Kangala Wildlife Rescue originated in action and offered her services for Valerie's search after he told the news. The organization wrote on its Facebook page last week: 'Based on first-hand accounts, we now know that Valerie lives'
Mrs. Gardner said that she and Mr. Fishlock could not believe it when they heard that Valerie had been seen alive. “It was so crazy. Even with the really recent observations we were both just like: “No, don't understand your hope,” she told Guardian Australia
The resilience of the little dog is made even more remarkable by the fact that she seems to have become for herself in the area that is known for his indigenous animals in the wild and where she is probably seen as a pray. Displayed: Kangaroo Island, Australia
Mrs. Gardner finds Valerie's apparent survival skills 'incredible' given that she is a 'princess' and is not suitable for the wild.
The resilience of the little dog is made even more remarkable by the fact that she seems to have become for herself in the area that is known for his indigenous animals in the wild and where she is probably seen as a pray.
A Kangala director, Jared Karran, told the Adelaide advertiser that he was 'surprised' that Valerie had survived and suspected that she had lived on a diet from Roadkill and Damwater.
Some experts suggested that Valerie might have received help from people on the island, but Prof. Paul McGreevy, of the Veterinary School of the University of Sydney, disputes this.
He said, “If a person had kept Valerie alive, why didn't they have seen that she was wearing a pink collar and was probably missed by someone?”
Prof. McGreevy added that Dachshund, like all dogs, were 'extremely ingenious' and reportedly Veered VAlerie just needed water, shelter in winter and food.
He also said that Mini Dachshunds, even though he is not adapted to the Australian bush, have no problem to find food on the ground.
