Feared Dead in Yellowstone, Luna Is Found Alive After Five Weeks on the Loose

Luna’s Long Search

The white, gray-collared dog had been seen crossing roads, visiting employee housing and entering lodges through automatic doors. Sightings suggested she followed routes her family had taken before she disappeared, seeking food and shelter around places they had visited.

Luna’s family had left her in their cabin while they explored the park. They believe a housekeeping worker accidentally opened the door; staff chased Luna for more than two hours before the owners returned and found her missing.

Found in a Baited Trap

Boucher, who led the volunteer search and spoke for Luna’s California owners, said she and one owner found the dog in a trap. It had been baited with fabric from a family T-shirt and pillowcase.

They took Luna to a veterinarian, where her owner held her during an examination Wednesday afternoon. Boucher said Luna was underweight but alert and in good spirits, and described crying on the drive from the park.

Luna is 10 years old and had spent her first year living on the streets before being adopted. Boucher said that early experience had given the dog strong survival instincts.

Winter Pressures Search

The search drew help from local residents and visitors. Marie Jaskula, who runs a general store in the area, placed flyers at every park entrance asking people to watch for Luna.

Yellowstone, the first U.S. national park, spans roughly 3,500 square miles, or about 9,000 square kilometers, across parts of Wyoming, Montana and Idaho. The park is home to grizzly bears, wolves and other wild predators.