Yellowstone National Park rescues dog after 34 days in wilderness

Luna, a 10-year-old Jack Russell Terrier and Chihuahua mix, has been reunited with her family after surviving 34 days alone in Yellowstone National Park. The dog went missing on September 10 from a cabin in the Canyon Village area after bolting when a housekeeping staff member opened the door.

Rescuers from the Montana-based Norris Ark Training and Recovery Center coordinated the retrieval. Because Luna was described as being “faster than lightning” and difficult to approach, the team utilized a humane trap. To entice her without attracting predators, the trap contained items belonging to her owners to provide a familiar scent.

Luna was eventually located near the Canyon Village water treatment center inside a small doghouse placed within the trap, which provided shelter during recent storms. Following her rescue on October 14, she was taken to a veterinarian in Bozeman. While she was noted to be underweight, having lost approximately 10 pounds, she was reported to be alert and in good spirits.