Valerie the dachshund is found safe and well after 529 days on the run on South Australian island
After 529 days on the run, Australia’s favourite fugitive has been caught at last.
Valerie the miniature dachshund, who went missing on Kangaroo Island way back in 2023, has been rescued by conservationists.
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“Kangala Wildlife Rescue is overjoyed to announce the successful rescue of Valerie,” the group said on TikTok on Friday night.
“After weeks of tireless efforts …by volunteers and partner orgainisations 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.”
Georgia Gardner and her partner, Josh Fishlock, from Albury in New South Wales, were holidaying on the island in November 2023 when Valerie escaped from her pen at their campsite at Stokes Bay before running into the scrub.
Despite some initial sightings and extensive search efforts, Valerie was not seen again until recently.
Now, after an estimated 1,000 hours of volunteer effort and more than 5,000km travelled around the island searching for her, she was snared in a search operation using cameras and prepared traps.
“There were many challenging moments over the past month,” the group said, “and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who played a part in bringing Valerie home.”