Valerie Dachshund Survives 529 Days

In November 2023, a 10-pound mini dachshund named Valerie ran away during a camping trip to Kangaroo Island, a remote island in southern Australia, and then survived alone in the bush for 529 days. Her owners, Georgia Gardner and Josh Fishlock, searched and later relied on local reports and wildlife rescuers to track her across the island. In early 2025, rescuers finally began spotting her regularly and spent about two months trying to trap her. They eventually captured her alive and well and returned her to her owners, who took her back home after her year-and-a-half survival ordeal.

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