A pet donkey that escaped from its owner five years ago in California has been discovered “living his best life” with a herd of wild elk.
Terrie and Dave Drewry, of Auburn, believe the animal filmed by a hiker in early June was their pet “Diesel.”
The couple say they are relieved the animal is safe – and have decided to let it roam free with a new family as a “feral donkey”.
Diesel panicked and ran away during a hiking trip with Mr. Drewry near Clear Lake, California in 2019.
Weeks of voluntary searches proved fruitless, and dashcam footage months later was the last time anyone saw him.
“We finally gave up,” Ms Drewry told the BBC’s news partner CBS. “There’s just no sign of him.”
Then hiker Max Fennell discovered the donkeys earlier this month, describing the donkey as “happy and healthy” and posting his footage on social media.
“It’s amazing. It’s like, oh my God. Finally, we see him. Finally, we know he’s okay. He’s living his best life. He’s happy. He’s healthy and that’s such a relief,” Ms Drewery said.
The elk herd was several miles from where Diesel first went missing and in an area where there were no wild donkeys.
“Two completely different creatures, but they learn to get along and become each other’s family,” Ms. Drewry said.
The Drewrys have adopted new donkeys since Diesel disappeared and have no intention of recapturing their missing pet.
“It would be almost impossible to catch him,” Ms Drewry said. “He’s truly a wild ass now. He’s out there doing what he was raised to do.”
She said Diesel is about 8 years old and donkeys can live up to 40 years.
