Rescuers attempting to capture Valerie, the miniature dachshund at large for more than 500 days on South Australia's Kangaroo Island, are hopeful a trap upgrade could bring the mission to a close.
The search that has made global headlines is being led by Kangala Wildlife Rescue, which on Tuesday shared a new video of the 4kg sausage dog inside a cage at a "trap site".
"She has become confident entering the large dog trap which has been set up like her own little room with her toys and bed from home, mum's clothing, hidden food and challenges to keep her entertained," Kangala Wildlife Rescue wrote in a social media post accompanying the video.
"We have seen an amazing change in Valerie’s demeanour recently as she begins to remember all those familiar smells, tastes and sounds."
The group said it would usually set up a trap that the dog could trigger itself, or one that could be set off by a rescuer hiding nearby. That, however, has not been possible in this case due to her irregular visits and other wildlife entering the trap.
Valerie has been frequenting the site, and although there can be five or six days between visits, the group is confident she’ll continue to return.
While she has been "gaining confidence coming in to the trap", rescuers have been working on a device that could finally see her captured — a remote trigger system that uses the mobile phone network.
"We are happy to report that after a few tests and modifications, it looks like we have a system that will work," the group wrote in its post. "The final part is due to arrive this week so we can install it."
Valerie went missing in November 2023 while her owners, NSW couple Georgia Gardner and Josh Fishlock, were holidaying on the sparsely populated island — Australia's third largest — when she escaped her pen.
A five-day search was abandoned, and her owners returned home. But in March this year, rescuers of her.
Experts believe she has evaded predators including eagles and snakes, and it is believed she has survived on dam water and a diet of roadkill and native animals — both of which are plentiful on the island.
