Lost in New Zealand’s Alps for a week – then a dog is finally rescued. A call for donations made this possible.
April 2, 2026, 7:22 p.mApril 2, 2026, 7:22 p.m
Anna-Lena Janzen / t-online
On Tuesday, Border Collie Molly was rescued in the remote Southern Alps on New Zealand’s South Island after a week alone in the field. A volunteer helicopter team spotted the dog near a waterfall.
Video: watson/nina bürge
Molly’s owner Jessica Johnston had already fallen around 55 meters during a hike in the Arahura Valley on March 24th and was rescued with serious injuries – but there was initially no trace of Molly. In the impassable Campbell Range, the chances of finding the dog alive were considered extremely low.
Donations drive searches
The rescue was ultimately initiated by a small helicopter company. Because there is no public funding for animal rescues, the team organized the mission through donations. Within eight hours, instead of the targeted $2,400, a total of 11,500 New Zealand dollars had been raised – around 5,700 euros, it was said. The operating costs for the helicopter would have been around $50 per minute. The search was supported by experienced pilots, crew members and thermal imaging technology.
Found at the waterfall
The team flew to the scene of the accident – and actually discovered the dog there. Molly held out between slippery rocks at the foot of a waterfall. It is assumed that she independently found her way back to the place where her owner had had an accident, the rescuers said in a report in the Guardian.
A video of the operation shows crew member Wayne Holmes rappelling down from the hovering helicopter and luring Molly with food. The rescuer also had another dog with him to calm him down. Footage shows Molly and the Jack Russell Terrier Bingo being carried back on board, tucked under his arms.
Molly’s owner can also be seen at the end of the video – visibly overwhelmed and moved to tears as she receives her dog again.