Imagine climbing the highest mountain in Africa, taking a short *personal* break before continuing, looking behind you, and finding a dog.
Might not seem strange, but these tourists were on the Uhuru peak situated 3 1/2 miles above sea level with temperatures between minus 4 and 15 degrees C (25 – 5 degrees F). And dogs are not your usual flora and fauna that high up Mount Kilimanjaro.
Four tourists on a mission to scale Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro snapped this
picture using a cell phone. According to scientists and naturalists, dogs don’t routinely live that high up a mountain in freezing temperatures and barren land void of food options. So it shocked the locals that one was found just hanging out.
A veterinarian stated that dogs can survive those temperatures, but having one climb up to such a forbidding location was really unusual so he guessed that this dog could be rabid. Since he advised people to avoid the dog, it’s not likely he will be rescued.
Hopefully the tour company, Ahsante Tours, will check it out. Maybe he followed another group up the mountain. And just maybe, the dog can be coaxed down.
It seems quite the mystery, but a dog could certainly climb down those 3 1/2 miles to more food options such as mice, monkeys, and possibly campers with treats.
I get the vision of some guy over the next ledge snickering at the befuddled tourists. Something tells me that when Spot scales down the mountain side, he gets a nice, fat, juicy buffalo steak.
If I were in that situation, I would completely disregard what the vet said, ie., leave the dog behind. Where was this vet, why did they contact him, and how did they contact him? It seems to be a very wost-case-scenario diagnosis made from a distance. That poor dog – lost in sub-freezing temperatures with no food – and people don't even try to help him down to more friendly elevations. Visions of Katrina are flashing through my head – dog needs help, people are told not to rescue him, dog dies.
This dog looks very skinny to me. If he is not rescued soon – I do not think he will live very long up there with no body fat to live off.
Poor Dog…
I am in complete accordance with Jeanne! I would Never Ever Leave this Dog and/or any other 4 legged animal behind except they belong to the place!
What sort of a vet is that???
Is anything being done to Save this Abandoned/Scare/Hungry Soul?
Did these tourist left some food behind? This is the least they could have done taking that they took into account the IDIOTIC advise of the vet!!!
Please… SAVE THIS POOR BABY…
I agree! How could you leave him behind?!? I pray this is a hoax…will submit to snopes.com
Anything is possible. There are dogs that survive accidents that could easily kill a human. Dogs that have traveled hundreds of miles to return home. Dogs continue to perform feats that surpass us.
Not that I like the fact that this dog was not led back down the mountain, fed, or warned not to be approached, I think traveling up and down Mt. Kilimanjaro by him/herself can be what this dog does. And I still get the feeling that some guy behind a big pile of rocks with a videocam is having fun with the touristas.
Would like to know what Snopes finds out about it too.
THIS upsets me–HUGELY!
I fully agree with Jeanne and Gina!!
I think "the vet" has screws loose, or missing. "The tourists" are missing something too or they wouldn't have listened to "the vet."
I totally agree with Jeanne and Gina. Of course the poor dog should be rescued. It's all part of the mindset that only humans really matter.
That vet is a twit! Save the mutt! Good grief why leave the dog in such an unsafe place? If it's not sick now it sure won't take long for him to be!!!
SPECIESISM!!!!!
I consider it criminal and subhuman.
TY, Adrian!!!!!
Exactly, Scarlet – SPECIESISM.
That's why it's OK to kill millions of dogs and other animals in so-called "shelters." Because there are "too many."
Each of these animals is a thinking and feeling individual who has his or her own individual life story — just like all of us.
Just like the poor dog on the mountain. Even if it turns out to be a hoax, the reason that it rings so true is the attitude that the animal should be sacrificed to avoid any hint of danger or inconvenience to humans.
I agree with what everyone has said: this dog should be helped! It is not necessary to ask anyone, vet or not, what the proper course of action is.
Who are these people? How can you leave a helpless dog up there.Please some one go at least and feed him.
I feel for the dog, but if I was in the climbers shoes I would leave whatever possible food I had extra (and dog could eat) for the dog and move on.
Think about it. You're 3 1/2 miles up a mountain. There is no visible food source around and there is a dog sitting there. That dog did not come up there to escape the heat or look for food so something is wrong. And without a crate (who lugs one of those up a mountain when you're hiking?) and proper restraining equipment I would not get that close.
Don't climbers carry ROPES, for God's sake!!???
Pathetic-the dog should be saved. How stupid of the humans to listen to the cold vet. A life is a life and deserves compassion. Who is that vet? He should loose all caring clients…
Well lets assume the dog is submissive, not feral and the climbers were able to get close to the dog without it running away. They could fashion a leash and try bringing him down with them. So that would be possible if that all worked in their favor. But, if the dog was not submissive, or is scared of humans, or feral and/or the climbers could not get close enough to leash him, then there is very little they could do. I believe the quickest way down the mountain would be 2 or 3 days CLIMBING and hiking down the mountain (OK, there is a helicopter ride, but I don't know how well those work at that height.)
I would be all for doing something in my power to help this animal if I was there, but chasing a dog around on a mountain top and fainting from the lack of oxygen or falling off some cliff or wall would not do any good for the animals and family that would have to go on without me back home (the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few or the one.)
Sorry pooch. I hope someone is able to do something for you.
Noah,first of all they should see if he would come to them.I'm sure they had some kind of food.If he was Feral he would not eat or come to them.If he is hungry he would.Some cruel person put him there,thats what I believe…
I agree that they should at least try and feed him and see if he is feral or not. If they haven't attempted that then that is pretty poor on their part. But if they do and he skittered away then I don't see what else they could do.
As far as how he got there I have no idea, but I agree that he most likely followed someone up there and was then abandoned. As far as being rabid, don't dog still show outward signs of that? Wouldn't it have been noticeable if he was frothing at the mouth or something?
Information on trekking Mt. Kilimanjaro:
There are six trekking routes. The Rongai Route is the easiest camping route and the Marangu is also relatively easy, but accommodation is in huts. As a result, this route tends to be very busy, and ascent and descent routes are the same. On these easy routes all you need is a walking stick. Not your ususal die hard mountain scaling equipment. And obviously, they have lots of hikers.
It's not an easy climb only because of the change in altitude that can affect unhealthy people and those with heart conditions. This is not scaling the Himalayas.
My guess, seriously, is that this dog is probably feral traveling up and down the mountain at will. He probably follows hikers at a distance. This time, he just got caught. I'm surprised the locals and scientists are all in a tizzy about it. Usually the most simplest explanation is the right one.
Not all vets are good vets. This one must have rabies. Regardless of whether this poor thing followed it's owner (Sherpa)out of loyalty and then lagged behind or whatever. This dog needs to be rescued. There is no reason whatsoever to say it's got rabies. Apart from which there are ways to catch animals which are terrified and bite. Surely someone out there has the compassion to help them or have they all got altitude sickness!!!!!!!!!!
I CALLED IT!
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2011/08/dog-disco…
I'm wondering who took the picture?The people you can see a far, who is behind this dog and if he is Feral how did they get so close???
Why does everyone assume the dog needs rescuing? Has it traveled down a one way tunnel it cannot escape from? Is it whimpering in the fetal position with a missing leg an large gashes about its body? Did the thought cross anyone mind that it just might be a feral dog that enjoys climbing up and down the mountain, or using that path to travel from one place to another? How do you know if its not just taking a shortcut to get home to its young puppies who are eagerly waiting for her or him? Im all for helping an animal that has gotten itself into an unfortunate spot, but to think we as humans must "rescue" every animal that seems out of place is ludicrous.
Andrea, I hope the news report is right. I just have a few doubts about the guide's statement that he thought this was the same dog he saw a few times 10 years ago.
For one thing, why has no one seen the dog at all for 10 years? For another, 10 years seems a long time for a dog to survive under such harsh conditions. It's very possible that it isn't the same dog, since it can be difficult to tell one dog from another.
I really think someone should look into the situation to determine whether the dog does need rescuing or really is just a meditative sort who enjoys his solitude. That's the least that we would do for a human.
The dog photographed at Kilimanjaro evoked all sorts of responses depending on who is looking at it. Animal lovers wanted to save it, animal behaviourists marvelled at its feat and cautious people speculated that it might be rabid. Meanwhile I'm concerned that all these media attention and speculations might do the dog more harm than good. I think as humans, if we cannot commit ourselves to ensure that the dog's welfare is protected, it is best not to publicise its presence. After all, we don't know how the dog got there and why it chose to stay. Perhaps the top of the mountain is its last refuge and even that is in question now.
Rabies is a serious disease. That is why it is so feared, as it is fatal 99.9% if left untreated.
So how does a vet think that a sick dog can climb up a mountain most heathy people can't climb?
It's not a real mountain. It's just a long crappy walk. BFD! I don't see how anyone could get lost. Oh whoa is me!! Which way is down?
What? Turn around you say?
But surely that will also lead upward.
Both ways barefoot in the snow, my mother told me of this happening when she was young.
And in Pasadena, but I'm sure that's not important now.
He looks quite pensive and sad, also quite thin.
He could very well be standing vigil. Perhaps the owner/companion
did perish along the trek, and he is there because he is standing vigil. The next group of hikers or someone who cares
really should try to coax him down, let him know, that it is ok
to leave the spot, and come on down to join the pack which is what
his owner would have hoped someone would do for him. A friend
hiked Killie a number of yrs back in Nov and his tent mate was Withers,
the mountain climber who the following April was one of the climbers
at Everest during that much read about fateful expedition.
please keep us posted about this dog. is there any possible way
to get the message to Ashante Tours, or any other trekking company in the region to please assist the dog since he very well could have lost his companion along the way and needs to be led back down the mountain in order for him to get on with his life?
If I were in the area I would take a leash, collar, my dog and a backpack with some decent food water and go for a leasurely hike up there to find him.
Why is does everyone seem to be afraid to approach this dog? He may need help. Please, just find out. If he does need help, then help him. If he doesn't, then leave him alone. But be sure he really doesn't – he may be just afraid.
I was involved in animal rescue after Hurricane Katrina. I saw many abandoned dogs, including the much-maligned pit bulls. Believe me, these dogs were not vicious, rabid, or enjoying their solitude. They were very grateful for rescue. None of us were "attacked." Some dogs were afraid and ran away. Sometimes you had to patiently gain their trust. All were glad to be rescued.
The problem with this situation on Kilimanjaro is a communication problem. No one can ask him if he needs rescue. If it were a human in the same situation, who spoke a different language, people would approach him and ascertain non-verbally what the problem was. The same could be done with this dog, for heavens sake.
I mean, really, people who are "brave" enough to climb Mt Kil, wimping out over a dog. Please!!
I wish someone would rescue him. To hell with that stupid vet! He hasen't seen the dog and has no idea what the facts are on him. RESCUE HIM!!!!
I still would like to know how someone got so close to take the picture?They dog is just lying there he does not look mean to me he looks so sad and helpless
My first assumption would be he lost his guardian and was in dire need of rescuing. But what do I know, I'm not an "expert" veterinarian.
I just can't believe no one has rescued this dog by now. Does anyone have an update? Maybe he has been rescued.
This is in my opinion a dog who lives the life he wants to live. It's a free dog. No need to recue. If it would be in any need for help, it would not be resting on a rock but looking for food. It still has it's instincts, which is a good thing.
Update please? BTW I would not have left him there. he wqould be sitting here with me right now looking at his story
There is no more to report on this story. Most likely is feral and is living happily traveling up and down the mountain.
I don't know. It seems that there is no more to report because no one in the area of the sighting wanted to get involved to help this dog who possibly might need help.
I don't think that we would ever leave a human on a mountain alone and say that he was just a hermit or some such and wanted to be alone. We would verify.
We deal with so many sad animal situations that sometimes we have to tell ourselves that "it is probably OK" just to preserve our sanity. Hoping for the best. I know; I have done this myself in cases where I couldn't help.
The dog may be fine — living a free and contented life. He/she may also be slowly starving to death. We really just don't know.
We are much less capable of understanding dogs' communications than they are of understanding ours. As a dog lover, I am going to commit to working really hard to establish a deeper level of communication with the dogs who share my life than I have now.