In brief
After escaping from her pen in November 2023, Valerie has eluded capture since, despite being identified by locals due to her distinct pink collar. With renewed hope following recent sightings, Kangala Wildlife Rescue is actively seeking assistance to bring her home.
A dachshund, lost on Australia's Kangaroo Island for more than a year, continues to evade rescue efforts despite being spotted alive. Valerie, known for her pink collar, first disappeared in November 2023 when her owners were vacationing on the island. After escaping from her pen, her frustrated owners, Josh Fishlock and Georgia Gardner, spent five days searching before returning home to New South Wales.Recently, hope re-emerged when Kangala Wildlife Rescue shared on social media that Valerie had been sighted near Stokes Bay, about 10 miles from where she vanished. The organization reported that while initial rescue attempts have been challenging due to her fear of humans, they are working tirelessly to capture her using various strategies, including surveillance and the deployment of traps.One of the rescue team members provided an encouraging update, stating, "We have seen her. We’ve managed to narrow down the search area to one specific point." With ongoing sightings stemming from a dedicated local community, Fishlock expressed cautious optimism about Valerie's return.Her owner, Gardner, reflected on Valerie's surprising resilience: "To think that she’s gone a year and a half is incredible." While dachshunds are not known for long-distance running, they possess innate survival traits that have helped keep Valerie alive in such challenging conditions. As the rescue team mobilizes public support for sightings, there remains hope for an eventual happy reunion.
