'Tsunami': meet the dog who left the streets and became a hero when he rescued earthquake victims in Venezuela

Tsunami: meet the dog who became a hero in Venezuela
Rescue teams entered, this Saturday (27), the third day of searching for survivors of the earthquake that left a trail of destruction across Venezuela. Among the rescuers is a special member: the dog Tsunami, who became a national hero.
LIVE: See the latest updates on the earthquake
✅ Follow the g1 international news channel on WhatsApp
Tsunami is a 9-year-old Border Collie who is part of the Canine Disaster Intervention Teams (Ksar-Ecid), an elite group specializing in search and rescue with dogs.
According to Caracas firefighters, in just Two days the dog helped locate 12 people alive who were under the rubble of collapsed buildings.
Tsunami indicated where each of the victims was so that rescuers could begin excavation.
On Friday night (26), the team announced that Tsunami was on its way to La Guaira, the area most affected by the earthquakes and classified as a "disaster zone".
Tsunami became a hero in Venezuela
Social media
The dog's work in helping victims of the Venezuelan earthquake went viral on social media. Videos of Tsunami in rescue operations began to circulate frequently, while residents thanked the new national hero for his work.
But the dog's story of overcoming began years earlier. In 2017, he was rescued by the Associação Pró-Defesa dos Animais (Aproa), a victim of mistreatment. According to the NGO, the puppy at the time was malnourished and needed care.
After welcoming the animal, the association realized that Tsunami could be trained to perform in rescue missions as he is a Border Collie, a breed known for its intelligence and ease of learning.
That's when everything changed.
Missions
Tsunami during missions with teams from Venezuela
Social media
Tsunami was sent to Ksar-Ecid and trained by the director of the group, Jorge Beens. Shortly afterwards, he joined rescue missions in disaster areas in Venezuela.
Five years after the start of training, the dog became a key player in the Tragedy of Las Tejerías, when a series of landslides and floods left people dead in the Venezuelan state of Aragua.
In February 2023, Tsunami gained international prominence when he was part of a Venezuelan team sent to Syria and Turkey.
At the time, both countries were hit by earthquakes of magnitudes 7.7 and 7.8. More than 50,000 people died and around 107,000 were injured.
Tsunami is a rescue dog operating in Venezuela
Social media
Just like now, the dog helped locate victims trapped under the rubble of collapsed buildings.
"Today, Tsunami is not just a rescue dog. He is a symbol of resilience. For 24 hours, he has been working side by side with Jorge and the other volunteers in our country", said Aproa in a statement.
"With each agile movement among the rubble and each bark that breaks the silence imposed by the tragedy, this brave dog demonstrates that true greatness knows no species."
READ ALSO
VIDEO: Baby is born amid the rubble after earthquake in Venezuela
Venezuela football promise, under-20 team player dies in earthquake
VIDEO: Plane still shakes on the ground during earthquake in Venezuela
Last mission
Dog 'Tsunami' helps rescue earthquake victim in Venezuela
At 9 years old, Tsunami is already considered a senior dog. On the current mission in Venezuela, he has been closely monitored by a veterinarian to maintain the pace of the search.
On Thursday (25), the teams released a video showing Tsunami receiving care. In the recording, a veterinarian states that the dog is in good health, receiving hydration and a muscle relaxant to continue working.
"We don't see any major changes, despite the physical wear and tear, but he is a dog trained for this, so we are sure that he will continue to collaborate", said veterinarian Aníbal Hurtado.
According to the newspaper El Diario, Tsunami has been working on the current mission alongside trainer Donato Spinelli. On a social network, he stated that this will be the dog's last rescue operation before retirement.
"We want to share with you, with a mixture of nostalgia and infinite pride, that this will be the last rescue operation of Tsunami's career. Our champion is already on his way to retirement, after years of impeccable service," he wrote.
"He retires at his peak, demonstrating his courage and giving his all until the end."
VIDEOS: most watched on g1

Source: G1