Lost Dog Is Reunited After 150-Mile Journey Across Alaska's Sea Ice
By FoxIsHere
Mandy Iworrigan, a resident of Gambell, Alaska, had a heartwrenching experience when her one-year-old Australian shepherd named Nanuq went missing during a family visit to Savoonga, a city on St. Lawrence Island in the Bering Sea. Alongside their other family dog, Starlight, Nanuq disappeared into the vast tundra. Despite her uncle's reassurance that dogs often wander off and return, it seemed like Mandy's beloved pets were lost forever.
After weeks of uncertainty, the family received a glimmer of hope when their dog Starlight resurfaced, yet Nanuq remained missing. However, a surprising development emerged when a dog resembling Nanuq was spotted in Wales, a staggering 150 miles northeast of their home.
Mandy, taken aback by the news, shared her father's text with the Anchorage Daily News: "There's a dog that looks like Nanuq in Wales." Local residents had posted pictures of the stray dog on Facebook, prompting Mandy to visit the page and confirm the unbelievable truth—it was indeed Nanuq.
"I couldn't believe it! That's our dog! What in the world is he doing in Wales?" Mandy exclaimed.
The details surrounding Nanuq's incredible journey still remain a mystery. Having survived weeks in the harsh tundra, traversing over 150 miles of treacherous sea ice, his owner speculates that he may have sustained himself by hunting seals and birds along the way.
“I have no idea why he ended up in Wales. Maybe the ice shifted while he was hunting,” Mandy said.
Nanuq was also found with a swollen leg with two large bite marks. It’s not clear what caused the bites: possibly a wolverine, seal or small polar bear. But considering everything he went through, Nanuq is in surprisingly good health.
Mandy used airline points to cover the expense of bringing Nanuq home. There are no direct flights from Wales to St. Lawrence Island, but Nanuq was able to board a charter flight transporting student athletes.
https://twitter.com/nalaguzruaq/status/1644169152482152448
Nanuq’s unlikely journey home made him a local celebrity, with many people being impressed by his survival skills.
His owner will never know for sure what adventures her dogs got up to in the tundra but knows they’d have quite a tale to tell.
“If dogs could talk, both of them would have one heck of a story,” she told Anchorage Daily News.
What a journey — we’re so glad Nanuq made it home! Please share this incredible news! ❤️
You are currently reading about Lost Dog Is Reunited After 150-Mile Journey Across Alaska's Sea Ice. If you've found this helpful, please share Lost Dog Is Reunited After 150-Mile Journey Across Alaska's Sea Ice on your favorite social media site, such as Facebook, Twitter, or Google+
