Cat who survived 400-foot Bryce Canyon fall adopted by rescuing pilot

KANAB, Utah (ABC4) — The senior cat who survived a near 400-foot fall that killed both of her owners in Bryce Canyon National Park has found a new home with the pilot who rescued her.

According to Best Friends Animal Society, Mirage, the cat, was found by search and rescue pilot Chelsea Tugaw and her team at the bottom of Bryce Canyon on April 29. A specialist on the mission picked up what they presumed to be a backpack, but it turned out to be a pet carrier covered in dirt. Much to their surprise, there was a cat inside.

Mirage was taken to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, where the medical team determined her to be approximately 12 years old. She was given the name Mirage by the staff there, because surviving a fall like that was “unreal.”

“We couldn’t believe the cat was alive. I thought she was injured and was uncertain of her future,” Tugaw said in a press release. “It gave me a lot of comfort when I found out she was going to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary to get the help she needed.” 

X-rays of Mirage showed only a few broken ribs and teeth, but after the medical team noticed concerns with her heart, she was sent to a specialty veterinary hospital in Las Vegas. There, she received treatment for fluid around her heart, likely caused by trauma from the fall. She was determined healthy shortly thereafter and was sent back to Best Friends.

Best Friends was able to connect with the next of kin of Mirage’s owners. While unable to adopt Mirage, they gave Tugaw their full blessing to adopt her. Everything came full circle when Tugaw arrived at the shelter to pick her up.

“I’m so ecstatic to be taking Mirage home. I hope I can give her the perfect retirement life and let her be a nice lazy cat in her old age,” Tugaw said. “I just hope she knows she’s going to a really loving home and that it’ll be her final home.”