Arguably the most famous pooch in South Australia, miniature dachshund Valerie, has been spotted on camera after going missing in Kangaroo Island’s wilderness for over 500 days. Kangaroo Island is Australia’s third largest island.
Despite poor weather conditions over the last week, Valerie was spotted on April 2 on camera in a video posted to Kangala Wildlife Rescue’s Instagram account. Kangala Wildlife Rescue is currently conducting the search for Valerie.
Valerie’s owners, Georgia Gardner and Josh Fishlock, described the footage as leaving them “so excited”, per The Advertiser.
“We’re so close now, we just have to be patient,” Gardner said.
“When we left the island without her, I cried for days.”
Kangala Wildlife Rescue’s Instagram post. (Source: Instagram/@kangala_rescue)
In an April 3 Facebook post, Kangala Wildlife Rescue also announced the news of Valerie’s appearance.
“It’s been a hectic, long and exhausting journey so far, with our small team of dedicated volunteers working around the clock in the search for little Valerie,” the post read.
“The last four days have been an anxious wait, with Valerie laying low and with the harsh winds, we really can’t blame her. Thankfully the weather improved and last night Valerie was spotted once again in our rescue area.
“We can’t explain how [exciting] it is to have Valerie come trotting in exploring and enjoying all the yummy treats on offer after an anxious wait. Seeing that long body and wiggly bum was just the boost everyone needed.”
Kangala Wildlife Rescue has been trying to lure Valerie back home via roast chicken and tuna.
Another shot of the vagabond pup in Kangaroo Island. (Source: Facebook)
The tiny dog first escaped from her pen on November 13, 2023, after attempting to reunite with her owners who were at the beach, according to Kangala Wildlife Rescue’s March 22 Facebook post.
“While at Stokes Bay, Valerie, wanting to follow her family to the beach, got out of her pen and as good Samaritans tried to catch her, poor little Valerie became scared and fled into the scrub,” the post read.
Valerie has been living in the wilderness of Kangaroo Island since November 2023. (Source: Facebook)
“No one thought a little Dachshund like Valerie would survive alone in the wild, but more than 12 months after she went missing regular reports started coming in about a Dachshund with a pink collar being seen about 15 kilometres from Stokes Bay.
“We are using surveillance and various trapping and luring methods in the area she was last seen to try and bring her home. 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.”
As for when Valerie will finally trot home with her owners, the only course of action is to sit, wait, and keep our eyes peeled on Kangala Wildlife Rescue’s social pages.
The post A Mini Dachshund Named Valerie Has Survived 500 Days Alone On Kangaroo Island appeared first on PEDESTRIAN.TV .
