In a heartwarming turn reminiscent of a storybook, a donkey missing for five years in California was discovered living among a herd of wild elk. Triathlete and hunter Max Fennell captured the remarkable scene on camera during a hunting trip, and the footage quickly gained online attention with over 143k likes.
The donkey, found standing curiously among approximately a dozen elk, is believed to be Diesel, the cherished pet once cared for by Terrie Drewry and her husband, Dave. Originally a wild donkey, Diesel had been adopted through a Bureau of Land Management program that allows public adoption of wild animals captured during federal roundups.
The beloved pet donkey disappeared in 2019 during a hiking excursion along the Cache Creek Wilderness with Dave. Despite an extensive search effort by a dedicated team, Diesel was never located.
바카라We think a mountain lion might have spooked him,바카라 Terrie shared with CBS Sacramento. 바카라He just got away.바카라
Living on a ranch near Auburn and caring for various animals, the couple tirelessly scoured the area for weeks, combing through terrain on foot and horseback. They even employed drone technology to scan for any traces of their missing four-legged family member.
바카라We finally kind of gave up,바카라 Terrie shared with the outlet. 바카라Just no signs of him.바카라
Five years after his disappearance, the couple now believes Diesel was adopted by a herd of elk and is happily roaming the pastures of Cache Creek Wilderness with them.
The missing donkey would be approximately eight years old now, according to his former owners.
바카라I bumped into a herd of elk that have adopted a donkey,바카라 Max wrote on Instagram, sharing the video of the unique blended sight.
바카라I can바카라t get over seeing it and I바카라m amazed that the donkey looks happy and healthy!바카라 he added.
Terrie expressed certainty that the donkey Max captured on video was Diesel.
바카라It was amazing. It was like, oh my gosh. Finally, we saw him. Finally, we know he바카라s good. He바카라s living his best life. He바카라s happy. He바카라s healthy, and it was just a relief,바카라 she shared with the outlet.
The Drewrys were grateful to see their former pet thriving among a different species.
바카라Two completely different creatures, but they learn to get along and be each other바카라s family,바카라 she remarked, noting that he has 바카라killed coyotes protecting the herd and possibly a mountain lion.바카라
Terrie shared that since Diesel went missing about five years ago, she and her husband have welcomed new donkeys to their home.
Now that Diesel is "truly a wild burro," they have decided not to attempt to bring him back home because capturing him "would be next to impossible."
바카라He바카라s out there doing what he바카라s raised to do," Terrie added.
