In a remote alpine area of the Campbell Range in the Arahura Valley on New Zealand's South Island, a border collie named Molly was successfully rescued after being missing for a week. The dog's owner, Jessica Johnston, had fallen down a 55-meter drop during a hike on March 24, sustaining serious injuries and being evacuated by helicopter, but the dog was lost.
The chances of finding the border collie were slim due to the isolated location, yet Lillian Newton of Precision Helicopters stated she had "a gut feeling" that Molly was still alive. The small family business wanted to assist but lacked the budget to fund a private search, as helicopters cost about $50 per minute to operate. While search and rescue missions for humans are regularly commissioned in the area, there is no official funding for rescuing animals lost in New Zealand's wilderness.
Newton contacted Johnston and obtained permission to appeal to the public, aiming to raise $2,400 and recruit experienced volunteers. Within eight hours, $11,500 was raised from "complete strangers across New Zealand," and donations were closed. A plan was then crafted involving a volunteer team composed of former helicopter pilots and crew members.
The rescue team included volunteers such as Georgia, who flew in from Christchurch with thermal imaging gear, and Wayne, who brought his Jack Russell, Bingo, for emotional support. Lillian Newton's father, Matt, a former rescue helicopter pilot, flew the mission. They went directly to the spot where Johnston had fallen and, to their surprise, found Molly at the foot of a waterfall, surrounded by sharp, mossy rocks and spraying mist.
Wayne climbed out of the low-hovering helicopter, offered Molly a piece of sausage, picked up the dog, and carried it to the helicopter. Video of the rescue shows Molly being carried under Wayne's arm, with Bingo tucked under the other. None of the rescuers had known Johnston or Molly prior to the mission, but the news of the dog's recovery brought overwhelming joy. Newton remarked, "Someone told me that I would be 'lotto lucky' to find her, so for it all to pay off is just amazing." Johnston posted on Facebook that it had been "a bloody rough week," but with both of them back home, she could add this adventure to the list.
Source: www.theguardian.com