The world's dog population is estimated at 500 million. Many dogs live independently, such as wild, stray, or street dogs. Even domesticated dogs may exhibit hunting behaviors on their own.
In November 2023, a dachshund named Valerie went on vacation with her family. They visited Kangaroo Island in Australia, known for its abundant wildlife. During the trip, Valerie disappeared from their campsite.
Initially, traces of Valerie were seen, but she avoided capture. Only 529 days later, the dog was caught and returned home. Her owners were surprised that she survived, given her pampered domestic lifestyle. Valerie felt great after almost a year and a half of wild existence.
Dogs and humans have coexisted for over 15,000 years. This close relationship often leads to the perception of dogs as entirely dependent on humans. However, the reality may be more complex, hinting at a persistent "call of the wild."
Dogs evolved as efficient scavengers with a flexible diet. This explains behaviors like opportunistic foraging and scavenging. Even seemingly pampered dogs retain the capacity to survive in challenging environments.
Valerie's survival on Kangaroo Island, where she likely subsisted on roadkill and scavenged resources, is a testament to this. The island's diverse wildlife, including birds and rodents, may have also contributed to her sustenance.
Even highly domesticated dogs retain the instinct to hunt independently. The resilient dogs of Chernobyl also demonstrate their remarkable adaptability, surviving and reproducing without direct human intervention.
Valerie's story pleases and gives hope to owners who have lost their pets. However, the introduction of feral domestic dogs into wild ecosystems creates problems, upsetting the existing balance and creating a threat of extinction of individual species.