Lost dog in Australia found after 529 days on Kangaroo Island

The miniature dachshund had eluded searchers on Kangaroo Island since November 2023, only rarely appearing in fuzzy glimpses caught by nighttime cameras that showed her pink collar.

“Valerie has been safely rescued and is alive and well,” the wildlife group that has been hunting the wily canine on the southern Australian island said on Friday.

“We are absolutely thrilled and deeply relieved that Valerie is finally safe and able to begin her transition back to her loving parents,” Kangala Wildlife Rescue posted to social media.

Valerie made her escape during a camping trip with owners Georgia Gardner and her partner Josh Fishlock, dashing out of a pen and straight into the bush.

Her owners gave up after days of searching the island off the coast of South Australia – more than 4,400 sq km (1,700 square miles) of farms, nature reserves, and craggy cliffs.