A dachshund named Valerie has been safely rescued after spending 529 days alone in the wilds of Kangaroo Island, South Australia.
Valerie had been with her owners, Georgia Gardner and Joshua Fishlock, during a camping trip in November 2023. While the couple went fishing, they placed Valerie in a playpen at their campsite. However, upon returning, they discovered that Valerie had disappeared.
After her disappearance, several campers reported sightings of Valerie, but despite numerous attempts, she managed to avoid capture. Over the following months, efforts to bring her home continued, with Valerie only briefly glimpsed by locals.
The breakthrough came when Valerie was finally captured in a trap set by rescuers. The trap contained food, along with some of her owner’s clothing and toys. After more than a year in the wilderness, Valerie was safely reunited with her family.
The remarkable survival story of this brave dachshund has captured the attention of many, highlighting both her resilience and the dedicated efforts of those who worked tirelessly to bring her home.