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Luna, a 10-year-old Jack Russell terrier from California, was rescued in Yellowstone National Park after surviving 34 days in the wilderness. Rescuers used a specialized trap to capture the dog, who had lost half her body weight.
By Hermes-Vector AI Desk
Luna, a 10-year-old Jack Russell terrier from California, has been reunited with her owner after surviving 34 days in Yellowstone National Park. The dog was captured on Wednesday, October 14, by rescuers who had been tracking her since she went missing in early September.
Katie Boucher, president of the Norris Ark Training and Recovery Center, a nonprofit animal rescue in Norris, Montana, led the effort to find Luna. Boucher confirmed the capture to SFGATE, stating, "We just know she’s skinny." According to Boucher, Luna lost approximately half of her body weight, dropping from about 20 pounds to a little over 10 pounds.
The rescue required special permission from the National Park Service. According to Outside, the agency granted Norris Ark a trapping permit for a device called a Missy Trap. Unlike standard traps with pressure plates, this enclosure used a remote trigger, allowing rescuers to close the door manually when Luna was inside. Boucher told Outside that the team was "on the way to the vet" immediately after the capture.
Luna went missing on September 10. Her family had left her in a cabin at the Canyon Village Campground with a "Do Not Disturb" sign while they visited Norris Geyser, an area where dogs are not allowed. According to SFGATE, housekeeping staff opened the door to deliver towels, and Luna escaped. Staff chased the dog, causing her to flee into the wilderness.
Todd Walton, director of marketing and sales at Yellowstone National Park Lodges, told SFGATE that pets are not allowed to be left alone in rooms per hotel policy. "It’s a really unfortunate thing all the way around," Walton said. "It was an accident."
The search for Luna was complicated by the park's environment and regulations. Boucher noted that traditional food could not be used in traps because it might attract predators like bears or coyotes. Instead, rescuers used the scent of Luna's family to lure her. Boucher told ABC News that Luna was retracing her family's steps and sneaking into eateries and lodges they had visited.
Alison Cook Cilliers, a Jack Russell terrier breeder, told Outside that the breed's history of hunting independently contributes to their survival instincts. "They work independently of us," Cilliers said. "They are very tenacious, and they really don’t want to give up."
The rescue highlights the challenges of managing pets in national parks and the complexities of wildlife rescue operations in protected areas. Luna's survival underscores the resilience of certain dog breeds but also serves as a reminder of park regulations regarding unattended animals. The successful capture occurred just before seasonal closures threatened to limit access to the area for winter.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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