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Hiker's Dog Rescued After Week in Wild New Zealand Bush
1 Apr
Summary
- A border collie named Molly survived a week lost in the wild.
- Strangers raised over $6,300 to fund a search for the lost dog.
- A helicopter pilot successfully reunited the dog with its owner.
A border collie named Molly has been rescued after a week lost in the rugged New Zealand wilderness. The dog's owner had been evacuated on March 24 after falling from a 180-foot waterfall on the West Coast of the South Island. Rescuers were unable to find Molly during the initial evacuation.
Determined to reunite the pet with her owner, pilot Matt Newton and his family initiated a fundraiser. The community responded generously, donating over 11,000 New Zealand dollars ($6,300) to finance additional search hours and specialized equipment.
Utilizing thermal imaging, Newton located Molly within an hour during a subsequent search on Tuesday. A volunteer, accompanied by a rescue dog, was lowered to coax Molly to safety. The pilot estimated Molly survived by hunting feral animals during her time in the wilderness.
Remarkably, Molly was found in "surprisingly good condition." She was reunited with her owner, who was still recovering from injuries sustained in the fall. The helicopter company expressed profound gratitude for the public's overwhelming support in achieving this happy ending.
