What began as a pursuit of a tahr — a large, shaggy, goat-like mammal — on Table Mountain in South Africa turned into an after-dark rescue when a dog ended up trapped on a narrow ledge well below Cape Town's Pipe Track.
Here's what to know
The dog was out for an evening run with its owner when it spotted a tahr, charged down the slope, and became stranded about 262 feet (80 meters) below the Pipe Track, Smile 90.4FM reported.
The owner followed for a short distance but stopped when the terrain became too dangerous. He then saw the dog stuck on a narrow ledge below a cliff and called for help.
Wilderness Search and Rescue responded by setting up ropes to access the ledge. A rescuer was lowered, secured the dog in a rope bag, and brought the animal back up to the trail.
By 10:45 p.m., the rescue was complete, and the dog had been reunited with its owner.
More background
The tahr could move across the steep terrain, but the dog couldn't make its way back up from the exposed ledge.
TCD Picks » Quince Spotlight
💡These best-sellers from Quince deliver affordable, sustainable luxury for all
Because Table Mountain includes steep drops and cliff bands, even a short descent can become far more dangerous than it first appears. That was the case here, where the owner stopped once continuing down was no longer safe.
WSAR thanked the rescuers who spent part of their evening returning the dog safely and said outdoor emergencies depend on trained people when something goes wrong.
Pets can react unpredictably when they spot wildlife, and a single chase can pull both animal and owner into terrain neither is prepared to handle.
What's being done?
Using the incident as a safety reminder, WSAR urged people hiking with dogs to avoid unnecessary risks on the mountain and to seek help early if something goes wrong.
Calling sooner can give rescue teams more options, while waiting can make fading light, exhaustion, or changing conditions harder to manage.
People who want to back efforts that protect communities and outdoor spaces can also learn more about donating money to climate causes, which can help support the long-term health of the environments people and wildlife share.
Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
