3-Year-Old Wanders Into Australian Wilderness, Gets Lost–but Loyal Dog Stays by Her Side Until They’re Rescued

(Photo courtesy of Western Australia Police Force)

The joyous rescue of a toddler who went missing with her dog in the Australian outback is making headlines around the world.

On the afternoon of Jan. 15, 2020, 3-year-old Matilda Moule wandered off from her home into the 368,000-hectare Noreena Downs Homestead in Pilbara, Western Australia. She was walking with her Jack Russell terrier, Wolfy.

Photo courtesy of Western Australia Police Force

The area had been hit hard by heavy rainfall from ex-tropical cyclone Blake. Matilda’s distraught parents, Kate and Nathan, and her grandmother, feared for her safety amid the flooding.

According to ABC, the rain had filled a number of creeks surrounding Matilda’s home; as a hunt commenced for the lost child, police described the search area as “very challenging.”

“We think that Matilda had walked through a creek bed, which was close to her house,” Pilbara Police Superintendent Kim Massam explained, “[but] that creek rose due to heavy rains in the area, trapping Matilda on the other side of the creek from the homestead.

“Her panicked parents did all they could,” Massam continued. “We had helicopters donated by surrounding stations. It was just an amazing push for resources to assist.”

Photo courtesy of Western Australia Police Force

According to a Facebook post from the Western Australia Police Force (WAPF), the Pilbara community “immediately swung into action” after being alerted to Matilda’s disappearance. Besides providing local helicopters and SES volunteers, the Newman Horse Riders Association also donated the services of seven horses with riders.

To the immense relief of Matilda’s family, the search team, and the local community, Matilda was found safe and sound after 24 hours in the wilderness. She was spotted by helicopter search personnel, having wandered around 3.5 kilometers away from her home.

However, the little girl wasn’t alone. She had been accompanied the whole time by her 10-month-old faithful pup, Wolfy.

Superintendent Massam spoke on behalf of his colleagues when he voiced his relief at having found Matilda. “It’s just an amazing feeling,” he said, speaking to ABC. “I’ve had my team out there on the phone just elated, I could only imagine how excited the family was.”

The superintendent speculated that the 3-year-old was likely a “free spirit,” having grown up in rural environs. “[V]ery fortunately,” he added, “she didn’t succumb to some of those creeks that we were very concerned about.”

The green top and pink dress that Matilda had been wearing when she wandered off were stained red by the soil. So was Wolfy. Western Australia Emergency Services Minister Fran Logan added that the 3-year-old had been found “tired” and “probably cold,” but was otherwise unharmed.

According to the Daily Mail, Matilda simply asked for a big glass of water and a hug from her mother after being rescued. Praise flooded in from members of the public, for both the rescue team and for the little dog that never left the toddler’s side.

“What a wonderful end to something that could have gone terribly wrong,” one person commented, in response to the WAPF’s post on Facebook. “Like l have said so many times, once you have had a Jack you will never look back.”

“[A] little dog with a big heart,” read another. “[C]ertainly a good dog to have in tough times! So many bad stories coming out of Australia at the moment, good to have one with a good outcome.”

Wolfy, a shining example of his breed’s famous loyalty, also received praise from the rescue team for his devotion to his vulnerable human companion.

“That little dog will be the toast of the station tonight,” said Massam.