In an extraordinary rescue tale, Valerie, a tiny miniature dachshund, was found alive after spending 529 days alone in the wild on Kangaroo Island. She originally escaped from her owners during a family camping trip in November 2023. Despite the rugged terrain and dangerous wildlife, she somehow managed to survive, mostly feeding on roadkill and other scarce resources.
Volunteers with Kangala Wildlife Rescue dedicated more than 1,000 hours and traversed around 5,000 kilometres in a determined search effort. Thanks to her owners’ persistence and the rescuers’ strategic use of her toys, familiar scents, and food, Valerie was finally coaxed into a humane trap and reunited with her emotional family. Her journey captures the true essence of hope, resilience, and unwavering devotion.
