A small dachshund has been found alive and well after spending more than 500 days in the wild in Australia.
Kangala, a wildlife rescue organization, said they were "continuously searching" for Valerie the dog on Kangaroo Island.
The owners last saw her while camping in November 2023.
Georgia Gardner and her boyfriend, Joshua Fishlock, left Valerie on the playground for a moment while the two of them went fishing.
When they returned, she was gone.
Valera's 529-day stay in the wilderness, during which she survived extreme heat and avoided poisonous snakes, ended thanks, among other things, to Georgia Gardner's T-shirt, which was used to create a "scent trail" leading to the trap.
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"After weeks of tireless efforts, Valerie has been rescued and is doing well," the Kangala organization wrote on social media.
They stated that they spent more than 1.000 hours searching for Valeri, traveling more than 5.000 kilometers.
Surveillance cameras and a cage-trap with a door that opens remotely were used during the rescue operation.
The cage contained food, Valera's owner's T-shirt, and some of her toys.
Lisa Karen, director of Kangala, said she was wearing pieces of Georgia's clothing as she approached Valerie, who was trapped in a cage.
Then she sat next to the dog until he completely "calmed down."
A few days after Valerie disappeared, other campers spotted her under a parked car.
However, after the car scared her, Valerie ran into the bushes, the Washington Post reported.
A few months later, island residents reported seeing a pink collar that resembled Valerian, which surprised Jarden Karen, Kangala's second director.
"Of all the dogs, Valerie is the last one I would say would survive in the wild, but she has a good sense of smell," he said.
Lisa Karen sent a message to everyone who has lost a pet.
"Never stop hoping."
"Sometimes good things happen to good people."
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