Govind Tekale
In a remarkable tale of survival, Valerie, a miniature dachshund weighing less than 4kg, has been spotted alive on Kangaroo Island in South Australia—nearly 500 days after she went missing.
The tiny dog disappeared in November 2023 when she escaped from her pen while her owners, Josh Fishlock and Georgia Gardner from New South Wales, were holidaying at Stokes Bay. Despite an intensive week-long search with help from locals, Valerie vanished into the island’s bushland.
“It was like finding a needle in a haystack,” Fishlock told Australia’s “Today” show.
More than a year later, recent sightings and video evidence confirmed what seemed impossible—Valerie was still alive, spotted about 15km from where she went missing, and still wearing her pink collar.
“As the days grew it just really start to thinking that we are not going to get her back,” said Gardner.
Survival Against the Odds
Experts are astounded by Valerie’s endurance in the wild. Jared Karran, a director at Kangala Wildlife Rescue, told the Adelaide Advertiser he was “amazed” at her survival, suggesting she likely subsisted on roadkill and dam water.
Professor Paul McGreevy from the University of Sydney’s veterinary school noted that while not adapted to the Australian bush, dachshunds are resourceful.
“Dogs are the greatest opportunists in the animal kingdom: that’s one of their core skills,” McGreevy said. He explained that Valerie could potentially eat birds, frogs, mice, or more likely, carrion.
Her survival is particularly remarkable given the challenges of Kangaroo Island’s environment. The island, known for its diverse wildlife including kangaroos, wallabies, and various predators, presents significant dangers for a small domestic dog.
Gardner expressed disbelief at her pet’s resilience: “She was not a very outside, rough-and-tough dog. To think that she even went one night outside in the rain, oh my gosh. To think that she’s gone a year and a half is incredible.”
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The Search Continues
While Valerie has been spotted, bringing her home remains challenging. “She runs at the first sign of humans or vehicles and despite the best efforts of dedicated island locals, Valerie has been impossible to catch,” Kangala Wildlife Rescue stated on social media.
The rescue group is now using surveillance cameras and various trapping methods in areas where she was last seen. “This is a tiny dog in a huge area, and we will need help from the public to report any sightings and a lot of luck,” they added.
Recent updates suggest progress. “We have seen her. We’ve managed to narrow down the search area to one specific point,” reported Jared, a team member involved in the rescue mission.
Fishlock and Gardner remain cautiously optimistic. “We just couldn’t believe it because six months ago we wouldn’t have expected to be in this situation today,” Josh said. “The plan is to get her really comfortable with the food they are putting out, get her comfortable with that area, hope that she keeps coming back.”
The couple has expressed gratitude to the rescue group for their persistent efforts. “Hopefully we will be heading back to the island to pick her up and be reunited with her,” they said.
As the search continues, Valerie’s story has captured attention worldwide, highlighting both the remarkable survival instincts of animals and the dedicated efforts of those working to bring her home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Valerie has been missing for nearly 500 days (approximately 16 months). She disappeared in November 2023 while her owners were on holiday at Stokes Bay on Kangaroo Island, South Australia.
According to wildlife experts, Valerie likely survived by eating roadkill and drinking water from dams. Professor Paul McGreevy from the University of Sydney explained that dogs are extremely adaptable and opportunistic. Despite not being adapted to the Australian bush, Valerie likely consumed birds, frogs, mice, and carrion to stay alive. Her survival is considered remarkable given her small size (less than 4kg) and the harsh environment of Kangaroo Island.
No, Valerie has not yet been reunited with her owners. While she has been spotted and confirmed alive (still wearing her pink collar), she remains difficult to catch. According to Kangala Wildlife Rescue, “She runs at the first sign of humans or vehicles.” Rescue teams are using surveillance cameras and various trapping methods to try to safely capture her. Her owners, Josh Fishlock and Georgia Gardner, remain hopeful about being reunited with their pet soon.
Valerie was spotted approximately 15 kilometers from where she initially went missing in Stokes Bay. The rescue team has reportedly narrowed down the search area to “one specific point” where they’ve seen her and are focusing their efforts there. Kangaroo Island is Australia’s third-largest island, covering around 4,400 square kilometers, making the search particularly challenging.
Kangaroo Island presents numerous dangers for a small domestic dog like Valerie. These include native predators, harsh weather conditions, limited food and water sources, and potential injuries from terrain or wildlife encounters. The island is known for its diverse wildlife including kangaroos, wallabies, and various predators. Additionally, Valerie wasn’t accustomed to outdoor living—as her owner Georgia Gardner noted, “She was not a very outside, rough-and-tough dog.”
Kangala Wildlife Rescue is leading efforts to catch Valerie using several methods. They’ve set up surveillance cameras to monitor her movements and are using various trapping techniques in areas where she’s been spotted. They’re also putting out food to help her become comfortable with a specific area and encourage her to return regularly. The rescue team is relying on public sightings and reports to help locate her. According to rescuers, they’re making progress as they’ve managed to narrow down the search area.
