Alaska avalanche rescue: Dog found alive after 50 hours using AirTag

A four-year-old poodle-husky mix named LouLou was successfully rescued after surviving for over 50 hours in freezing conditions following an avalanche in Alaska’s Chugach State Park.

The incident occurred while LouLou was hiking with her owner, Brian, and a companion. The avalanche caused serious injuries to the humans, including broken ribs and jaws, necessitating a U.S. Air Force helicopter transport to a hospital. LouLou was separated from the group and lost in the snow.

While the owner, Lauren Joy Padawer, was traveling abroad at the time, she coordinated search efforts using an Apple AirTag attached to the dog's collar. Although the AirTag's initial signal was approximately 800 meters off from the dog's actual location, Padawer used satellite imagery to analyze the terrain and refine the search area.

Volunteer pilots Dave Beckett and Amanda Barker eventually located LouLou via helicopter after receiving a signal from the AirTag. Despite suffering broken teeth and toes, the dog survived the sub-zero temperatures and has since returned to her home.