Lost Donkey Finds New Herd and Thrives in the Wild

Diesel the donkey bolted from his home near Sacramento, California, during a hike five years ago and his humans feared the worst. Despite extensive searches, Diesel remained elusive, leaving his family in despair.

Terrie Drewry, Diesel’s human, shared her distress with local media, expressing concerns for his safety. Years went by without any sign of Diesel, until earlier this year when a hunter encountered a remarkable sight in the northern California wilderness. Among a herd of elk, a wild donkey appeared, catching the hunter’s attention.

Drewry believes the donkey in the video is Diesel. The footage, captured by Max Fennell, a professional triathlete and occasional hunter, shows the donkey leading the elk herd. This discovery brought immense relief to the Drewry family, confirming that Diesel is alive and thriving.

Adopted from the Bureau of Land Management, Diesel initially lived peacefully on the Drewry ranch with other animals. However, an unexpected fright during a hike in 2019 caused Diesel to flee, dragging Drewry’s husband behind him. Despite efforts to locate him in the rugged Cache Creek Wilderness, Diesel remained missing.

The turning point came when Fennell, during a hunting trip, filmed the elk herd with Diesel among them. The video, shared on Instagram, showed the donkey confidently leading the elk. Drewry is convinced that Diesel has adapted to his new environment and is fulfilling his role as a protector of his new herd.

Donkeys, known for their protective instincts, often defend livestock by braying and kicking at potential predators. Drewry suspects Diesel has embraced this role with his elk companions. Despite missing him, Drewry has decided not to recapture Diesel, acknowledging his successful integration into the wild.

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