Tragic end for the hero dog that found children lost in the Colombian jungle

The Colombian military has abandoned the search for the hero dog that helped locate four children who were lost in the Amazon rainforest for 40 days.

Wilson, a Belgian Shepherd, helped locate Lesly, 13, Soleiny, nine, Tien Noriel, four, and Cristin Neryman, one, in the Guaviare rainforest after a plane crash, but went missing himself.

In a tragic turn of events, the military has said it was “unlikely” to find Wilson after the desperate search for him began on June 9.

After their rescue, the children recounted how Wilson had been with them before they were found by the military and native volunteers. They had also taken candid photos of the hero pup.

Special Forces Commander General Pedro Sanchez said Monday in Bogota: “Wilson is one of our commandos. We have really done everything within our power, we have spared no expense to find him, but we are aware that it is practically unlikely that we will be able to find him.’

The tribute, attended by President Gustavo Petro, was part of an awards ceremony for Wilson’s mother, Drugia.

General Sanchez told those present, “Wilson will be remembered in our hearts and in the souls of the Colombian people, as we will with the other fangs and with our soldiers and policemen who sacrificed their lives.”

Wilson was the strongest puppy of five born at Drugia and raised among military personnel. He trained at the School of Military Engineers for 14 months.

He was recruited to help search for the four missing children.

“He was the dog we were looking for: strong, unafraid, very curious,” says Edgar Fontecha, instructor at the dog training center. El Espectador.

“He was the true hero because he defeated communication between the jungle and pulled his guide to the wreckage of the plane,” the army said.

“It is said that the dog broke the rope that tied him to Lara (his guide) and started doing his thing, following the trail of the minors until he got lost,” Mr Fontecha added.

On May 28, Lesley’s footprint was found among other smaller ones. there was also a dog paw print. Ten days later, it was confirmed that the four children had been found.

The disappearance of the six-year-old dog was reported on June 8, a day before the children were found.

The military believes he became lost after the hostile conditions in the area – including humidity and dense foliage that limited visibility to 20 meters – disoriented him.

Lenin Ospina, a retired military officer who worked with search and rescue animals, told Blu Radio that Wilson could be “in an emotional state of psychological block” and he might not respond to people’s calls.

He wasn’t wearing a tracker. But even if he had been, adverse weather conditions might have prevented him from functioning properly, reports said.

The order to find Wilson was given after the children were rescued.

Ahead of the decision to call off the search, Forces Commander General Helder Giraldo said: “A fallen comrade is never left behind on the battlefield.

“Operation Esperanza continues to search for our dog Wilson, who, while on the hunt and in his eagerness to find the children, gets away from the troops and gets lost.”

More than 70 members of the military were involved in the search for the missing dog.

Their strategies included bringing in two females in heat in an attempt to attract him, and placing food at points considered strategic.

But this week officials said men used for the rescue mission are needed elsewhere in the country.

“We have more responsibilities in other parts of the country, our men are also exposed to jungle diseases and the risks that exist there,” said General Pedro Sánchez.

This week, a video of a dog that looks very similar to the Belgian Shepherd has been shared on social media, raising hopes that Wilson is still alive and healthy.

It was spotted in La Plata in Hulia, 200 km from where the children were found.

“From La Plata (Huila) they send a video and a photo of a puppy that looks very much like Wilson wandering in the rural area of ​​the municipality.

‘We are talking about quite a distance, almost 200 km. It is important to verify this information, the National Army of Colombia and the Colombian Armed Forces,” said one social media user.