Latest news with #Kangala
The Guardian
07-05-2025
- General
- The Guardian
After braving the wilderness for 500 days, Valerie is heavier than ever. Has someone been feeding the mini dachshund?
As Valerie is reunited with her owners, mystery remains over how the miniature dachshund braved more than 500 days in Kangaroo Island's rugged wilderness only to emerge healthy, happy – and larger than before. Valerie captured the world's attention when she was spotted 529 days after going missing on the South Australian island, with people worldwide avidly following the story of her capture. But the former 4kg dog put on 1.8kg since going missing, raising questions about her time away. Owners Georgia Gardner and Josh Fishlock, from Albury in New South Wales, took Valerie to the South Australian island for a holiday in November 2023, but the small dog escaped her pen at Stokes Bay and disappeared. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email Local organisation Kangala Wildlife Rescue, who spotted Valerie in March this year and trapped her weeks later, posted on social media on Tuesday night that a vet found she was in 'perfect health'. The island's mayor said locals believe someone must have been feeding the small dog, while Kangala director Lisa Karran said they were 'sure possums or cats out there were grooming her'. New footage of Valerie, the dachshund missing on Kangaroo Island, shows her sniffing trap – video Kangaroo Island has declared war on the feral cats on the island, which kill the native wildlife including endangered species. After multiple tantalising glimpses of the sausage dog in cameras set up by Kangala, they managed to trap her on 25 April using a cage with a remote trigger. Videos posted since show a happy little dog frolicking with toys and cuddling up to Kangala staff – a far cry from the rabid canine some feared she may become. Valerie at Kangala Wildlife Rescue after she was found. Photograph: Kangala Wildlife Rescue However, many island locals and social media users have commented on the dog's remarkably healthy appearance after her time in the wild, in a place populated by aggressive feral cats, snakes and other predators. The Kangaroo Island mayor, Michael Pengilly, said the story was 'fantastic publicity' for the island but that people suspected someone had been looking after Valerie in her free-range years on the land. 'Ninety percent of people that have spoken to me have said someone must have been feeding and watering her for her to survive,' he said. 'By the colour of the coat, how shiny it was and the condition of the dog there's no way known it could have come through however many days without being fed and watered.' Some said it was possible Valerie fed on roadkill or other animals' faeces and drank from dams. An image captured by Kangala Wildlife Rescue during Valerie's runaway months on Kangaroo Island. Photograph: Kangala Wildlife Rescue Kangala and the owners have been reluctant to engage with most media outlets and did not answer Guardian Australia's questions. They said last week that broadcast media had violated their privacy by taking pictures of Valerie without permission. skip past newsletter promotion Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. after newsletter promotion Gardner and Fishlock told Adelaide newspaper the Advertiser they were happy to see their 'princess' after so long. They said she had become 'more open to people' and gave them kisses and cuddles. Locals and experts had previously voiced concerns that a dog on its own for that long would become feral. They were also concerned about her impact on native wildlife on the island. Pengilly said Valerie's pattern of behaviour made him suspect she had someone looking out for her, something multiple locals on the island have told Guardian Australia they also believe. 'It was going back to where they had the trap set up every four, five, six days, which says to me it's getting fed and looked after at home, then it smells something and goes back here,' Pengilly said. Josh Fishlock and Georgia Gardner reunite with their 'princess'. Photograph: Kangala Wildlife Rescue and Georgia Gardner On social media, some suggested it was a 'money-making exercise', with the global attention focused on the small charity, staffed only by volunteers. 'We all love the story but I'm just thinking they are milking it a bit now,' one said. In response, Kangala said: 'When the dust settles and the truth comes out I think you might be pleasantly surprised. 'It can be hard to see in this cruel world, but most people still want to do what's right.' Kangala has not responded to questions about how much they raised in their ongoing donation efforts. Overseas donors have traditionally been generous to Kangaroo Island, Pengilly said. 'With the fires, they were exceedingly generous, we got $100,000 short of $6m, a lot of it from overseas,' he said. 'They're all falling head over heels for Valerie.' Others wondered why it took so long for the owners to reunite with her. Kangala said the owners needed to organise time off, and Valerie needed time to readjust and 'decompress'. 'Putting her in a car, travelling many hours when she was first rescued, we don't believe would have been in her best interest. She needs time to decompress and adjust,' the organisation said on Facebook. Now, they said, 'Valerie is in perfect health and ready for her parents and the next chapter of her life.'
NBC News
28-04-2025
- General
- NBC News
Escaped dog in Australia is rescued after 529 days alone in the wilderness
A runaway miniature dachshund in Australia named Valerie has been found alive and well after she went missing for 529 days in the wilderness. Wildlife searchers announced late Friday that Valerie had been safely rescued on Kangaroo Island off the coast of South Australia. The beloved sausage dog had captured international attention after disappearing in November 2023 during a camping trip with her owners, Josh Fishlock and Georgia Gardner. 'We are absolutely thrilled and deeply relieved that Valerie is finally safe,' Kangala Wildlife Rescue said on Facebook, sparking joy and relief on social media. The nonprofit group said its volunteers had spent more than 1,000 hours and traveled over 3,000 miles in the search operation, which involved numerous cameras and traps. Kangala directors Jared and Lisa Karran said the team created a scent trail using Valerie's toys and pieces ripped off a shirt Gardner had worn for 12 hours at a time. The trail eventually lured the dog into a cage they had set up. 'She went right into the back corner,' Jared Karran said Saturday in a video. 'I pressed the button, and thankfully, it all worked perfectly.' Lisa Karran, who was wearing the remnants of Gardner's 'tatty' shirt, then sat outside the cage with other rescuers so Valerie could grow familiar with them. After a while, the team proceeded to enter the enclosure one by one. 'She came up, would sniff us and we'd just go by her cues, until she was completely calm and snuggled up in our laps. It was amazing,' Lisa Karran said. Gardner said she was 'incredibly grateful' to the rescue group and was looking forward to being reunited with Valerie soon. 'For anyone who's ever lost a pet, your feelings are valid and never give up hope,' Gardner said on Facebook. 'Sometimes good things happen to good people.' Jared Karran said the team would return Valerie, who is now 'decompressing,' to her owners in a week or so. Valerie went on the loose when her owners left her briefly at their campsite to go fishing. The duo, assisted by locals, searched for Valerie but couldn't find her. The dog was presumed dead since it was highly unlikely she could survive alone on Kangaroo Island, which is home to venomous snakes and spiders. About a year later, frequent sightings of a dachshund with a pink collar began to emerge, Kangala Wildlife Rescue said. The group concluded from firsthand accounts and video evidence that Valerie was still alive. Catching her was not easy, however, since she ran at the first sign of humans or vehicles. Rescuers said in March that they were also 'constantly competing with hundreds of wildlife like possums, wallabies, kangaroos, Goannas and feral cats,' making the operation 'not as easy as just baiting and setting traps.' Kangaroo Island is the third-largest island in Australia and is renowned for its rich native wildlife, including more than 30 threatened animal and plant species. The island's visitor spending hit a record high of $180 million in the year to June 2023, far exceeding the annual target of $127 million officials hoped to reach by 2025, according to the Australian government.
CBS News
28-04-2025
- General
- CBS News
Runaway dog missing for 529 days finally captured on island teeming with kangaroos, koalas and penguins
A runaway dog named Valerie has been captured after a 529-day adventure, transfixing Australia as she roamed an island teeming with kangaroos, possums, koala bears and penguins. The miniature dachshund had eluded searchers on Kangaroo Island since November 2023, only rarely appearing in fuzzy glimpses caught by night-time cameras that showed her pink collar. "Valerie has been safely rescued and is alive and well," the wildlife group that spent months tracking the wily canine on the southern Australian island said late 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 on social media, along with a brief video clip of the pooch. 𝗞𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗹𝗮 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗰𝘂𝗲 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗢𝗳 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲'𝘀 𝗙𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝗰𝗵𝘀𝗵𝘂𝗻𝗱, 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲! 💚💚💚 Kangala Wildlife Rescue is overjoyed to announce the successful rescue of Valerie, the miniture dachshund who went missing on Kangaroo Island 529 days ago. 💚💚💚 After weeks of tireless efforts by Kangala Wildlife Rescue volunteers and partner organisations Valerie has been safely rescued and is fit and well. 💚💚💚 We are absolutely thrilled and deeply relieved that Valerie is finally safe and able to begin her transition back to her loving parents, Josh and Georgia. 💚💚💚 This rescue was a true testament to the dedication and perseverance of our team, the unwavering support of the community, and the power of collaboration. There were many challenging moments over the past month, and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who played a part in bringing Valerie home. 💚💚💚 The search for Valerie involved over 1000 volunteer hours and more than 5000 km travelled by volunteers in their private vehicles, the deployment and monitoring of numerous cameras and traps and the use of various forms of technology to successfully secure Valerie while ensuring her physical and psychological welfare. 💚💚💚 Kangala Wildlife Rescue would like to thank all those who offered their time, resources, and support during this demanding operation. 💚💚💚 This successful outcome highlights the vital role that wildlife rescue organisations play in our community, extending their expertise and compassion to all animals in need. Valerie's story is a reminder that hope and determination can lead to incredible results. 💚💚💚 The Kangala team are currently taking a short pause to process this amazing result and gather ourselves after the intense rescue efforts. We are excited to share further details about Valerie's rescue, including footage and photographs, very soon. Please patiently stay tuned to our social media channels for updates. 💚💚💚 𝐊𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐥𝐚 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐫-𝐫𝐮𝐧 𝐍𝐨𝐭-𝐟𝐨𝐫-𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐢𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟎 𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐬. 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐝𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐊𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐨 𝐈𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧𝐣𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐫𝐩𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐚 𝟐𝟒/𝟕 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞, 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐞 𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬. 𝐖𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚 𝐰𝐢𝐝𝐞. 💚💚💚 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐛𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐲 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐮𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭 𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞'𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞. 𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭 𝐤𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐞.𝐜𝐨𝐦 💚💚💚 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝗘𝗻𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀: 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮.𝗸𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗰𝘂𝗲@𝗴𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺 #catchingvalerie #kangarooisland #animalrescue #lostdog #Volunteer Posted by Kangala Wildlife Rescue on Friday, April 25, 2025 Valerie made her escape during a camping trip with owners Georgia Gardner and her partner Josh Fishlock, dashing out of a pen and into the bush. Her owners gave up after days of searching on the island, which spans more than 4,400 square kilometres (1,700 square miles) of farms, nature reserves, and craggy cliffs. The missing mutt was not seen for more than a year, with many holding out little hope for her survival. Then, video surveillance and locals began spotting her, and volunteers launched a patient hunt for the hound, which seemed to flee from people and cars. "Valerie seems impossible to trap," wildlife rescuers posted on social media last month. Investing more than 1,000 hours, volunteer searchers drove more than 3,100 miles and deployed cameras, traps and lures. "This rescue was a true testament to the dedication and perseverance of our team, the unwavering support of the community, and the power of collaboration," Kangala Wildlife Rescue wrote. "There were many challenging moments over the past month, and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who played a part in bringing Valerie home." Valerie was captured after a 529 days on Kanagroo Island in Australia. Kangala Wildlife Rescue Regular online updates gave hope they were gradually closing in. Snatches of black-and-white video showed Valerie regularly visiting a trap site, set up with a dog crate, blankets and toys -- though the facilities also attracted possums. "Incredibly grateful" Finally, she was lured into the crate by the scent from torn-up strips of a shirt worn by her owner Georgia, Kangala directors Jared and Lisa Karran said in a video update. "She was rummaging around, finding little food stashes all over the place. Then she went right to the back corner, which is where we wanted her," said Jared Karran. "I pressed the button and, thankfully, it all worked perfectly: the remote dropped the door and that was all secured." As the four-legged escape artist became used to her new surroundings, Lisa Karran got in the crate to be with her. But she entered from the top to avoid opening a side door. "No way we were letting that sausage dog run away on us again," Jared said. On her return to civilization, Valerie was treated to dog food and her favorite, roast chicken. Sizing up the adventurer, Jared said she was surprisingly small. "I think that she looks quite big on the camera. When I saw her in real life, she is tiny. She's got, like, an inch clearance under her belly, tiny little legs." Despite their modest dimensions, dachshunds are "game for anything", according to the American Kennel Club. "Bred to be an independent hunter of dangerous prey, they can be brave to the point of rashness, and a bit stubborn," it says. Valerie's owner Gardner said in a social media post that she was "incredibly grateful" to the volunteers who helped find her dog. "For anyone who's ever lost a pet, your feelings are valid and never give up hope."
RTÉ News
28-04-2025
- General
- RTÉ News
Runaway sausage dog snagged after 529 days on Australian island
A runaway sausage dog named Valerie has been captured after a 529-day adventure, transfixing Australia as she roamed an island teeming with kangaroos, possums, koala bears and penguins. The miniature dachshund had eluded searchers on Kangaroo Island since November 2023, only rarely appearing in fuzzy glimpses caught by night-time cameras that showed her pink collar. "Valerie has been safely rescued and is alive and well," the wildlife group that spent months tracking the wily canine on the southern Australian island said. "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 on 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 into the bush. Her owners gave up after days of searching on the island, which spans more than 4, of farms, nature reserves, and craggy cliffs. The missing mutt was not seen for more than a year, with many holding out little hope for her survival. Then, video surveillance and locals began spotting her, and volunteers launched a patient hunt for the hound, which seemed to flee from people and cars. "Valerie seems impossible to trap," wildlife rescuers posted on social media last month. Investing more than 1,000 hours, volunteer searchers drove more than 5,000km and deployed cameras, traps and lures. Regular online updates gave hope they were gradually closing in. Snatches of black-and-white video showed Valerie regularly visiting a trap site, set up with a dog crate, blankets and toys - though the facilities also attracted possums. 'Tiny little legs' Finally, she was lured into the crate by the scent from torn-up strips of a shirt worn by her owner Georgia, Kangala directors Jared and Lisa Karran said in a video update. "She was rummaging around, finding little food stashes all over the place. Then she went right to the back corner, which is where we wanted her," said Jared Karran. "I pressed the button and, thankfully, it all worked perfectly: the remote dropped the door and that was all secured." As the four-legged escape artist became used to her new surroundings, Lisa Karran got in the crate to be with her. But she entered from the top to avoid opening a side door. "No way we were letting that sausage dog run away on us again," Jared said. On her return to civilisation, Valerie was treated to dog food and her favourite, roast chicken. Sizing up the adventurer, Jared said she was surprisingly small. "I think that she looks quite big on the camera. When I saw her in real life, she is tiny. She's got, like, an inch clearance under her belly, tiny little legs." Despite their modest dimensions, dachshunds are "game for anything", according to the American Kennel Club. "Bred to be an independent hunter of dangerous prey, they can be brave to the point of rashness, and a bit stubborn," it says. Valerie's owner Gardner said in a social media post that she was "incredibly grateful" to the volunteers who helped find her dog. "For anyone who's ever lost a pet, your feelings are valid and never give up hope."
Global News
27-04-2025
- General
- Global News
After being on the lam for 529 days, Valerie the dog finally rescued
After 529 days on the lam, Valerie the miniature dachshund has finally been rescued. Valerie, a tiny wiener dog with a pink collar, first went missing in November 2023 after she escaped from her pen on a beach on Kangaroo Island in South Australia and ran off into the bush in the surrounding Stokes Bay. Her owners, with the help of locals and staff at Kangala Wildlife Rescue, spent the next five days searching for their furry friend before giving up and going home to New South Wales. And while lost dogs often capture hearts, Valerie captured international attention as the world watched and waited, following along closely after several sightings were reported in recent months. Story continues below advertisement 'Valerie has been safely rescued and is fit and well,' Kangala Wildlife Rescue announced on its Facebook group on Friday night, sharing that a well-worn T-shirt that once belonged to Valerie's owner was key to her rescue. 'We were able to rip little strips off of it, and we started the process of just adding more and more bits towards the trap site as we went along,' Lisa Karran, one of Kangala's directors, said in a video shared on the social media platform, explaining that the final rescue came when Valerie's curiosity got the better of her and she became interested in the cage, which was outfitted with toys, a bed, hidden food and more clothing from her owners. Eventually, Karran explained, the tiny dog began entering the cage and, at one point, while she sniffed around for the hidden food, they were able to remotely trigger the cage's door closed. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Knowing the dog would likely be nervous and shy after her time running free, Karran said she put on the now 'tatty' shirt and began to approach the dog, making a slow introduction. 'She came up, would sniff us and we'd just go by her cues until she was completely calm and snuggled up in our laps. It was amazing,' Karran said. Story continues below advertisement Late last month, Valerie made global headlines when she was spotted on surveillance cameras by Kangala Wildlife Rescue still donning her pink collar and alive, more than 500 days after she disappeared. View image in full screen Valerie with her owners, Josh and Georgia, before she went missing in November 2023. Kangala Wildlife Rescue / 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,' the animal rescue agency said in a Facebook post on March 21. On March 27, a Kangala Rescue staff member reported a sighting, saying it enabled the team to narrow down the search area, adding that they could now feed Valerie and have installed cameras to track her movements. Story continues below advertisement 'She's looking really healthy,' the staff member confirmed in a separate Facebook video. Since her rescue, Valerie's care team has been working to build up the dog's trust and strength. 'Of course, we had her favourites,' Karran said of the meals first brought to Valerie. 'Roast chicken and her favourite dog food as well — they were the first things to help her recognize that we were safe and that we were not a threat.' She's also wearing a special 'escape-proof' harness to ensure she doesn't manage to run away again. Valerie will soon be reunited with her 'over the moon' owners, the team at Kangala said, but first there will be a short period of decompression and relaxation for the small dog. 'We want to return her to her beautiful owners the best way possible, and not cause her any more trauma or stress. Because undoubtedly out there in 16 months she would have gone through a lot.' — With files from Global News' Rachel Goodman
