Staff Reporter|Published
A dog had to be rescued from a narrow ledge on Table Mountain after chasing a tahr down a steep mountainside during an evening run with its owner.
Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR) rescuers were called to the scene near Spring Buttress on Thursday night after the dog became stranded about 80 metres below the Pipe Track.
Dog chases tahr down mountainside
The dog and its owner were enjoying a run along the Pipe Track when the pup spotted a tahr, a mountain goat, and took off in pursuit.
The agile animal disappeared down the steep slope, with the determined dog following close behind. Almost 80 metres below the trail, the hound eventually found itself stranded on a small ledge.
Getting back up proved more difficult than getting down.
The dog's owner followed a short distance down the slope before deciding it was too dangerous to go further. He then called the emergency number for assistance.
WSAR rescuers lower rope to reach dog
A small team of WSAR rescuers was deployed to the scene.
Using a rope system, one rescuer was lowered to the ledge, where the dog was safely secured inside a rope bag and hoisted back up to the trail.
The operation was successfully concluded at 10.45pm on Thursday, with everyone safely back on the trail.