An animal rescue has a harrowing survival story to share after taking in a cat found in Utah’s Bryce Canyon National Park, where the feline and two hikers fell more than 300 feet, killing the couple.
The Garfield County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement on Wednesday, April 30, that tourists discovered two people who had fallen 380 feet below the national park’s Inspiration Point between Monday evening and Tuesday morning.
According to KUTV and KSL.com, officials said the couple, 45-year-old Matthew Nannen and 58-year-old Bailee Crane, had crossed over a safety railing. However, the exact reason for their fall remains unknown.
Investigators told the outlets that Nannen and Crane’s last known address was in Florida, but the couple appeared to be living out of a U-Haul van and spending time in Arizona before their deaths.
According to Best Friends Animal Society, one of the group members survived the steep drop to the canyon’s bottom. The sole survivor was Mirage, a 12-year-old cat.
The cat is recuperating at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah. Best Friends Animal Society founded the shelter, which is the world’s largest no-kill animal sanctuary, with over 1,600 rescue animals.
According to a spokesperson for Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, on April 29, rescuers discovered the cat in a black, soft-sided carrier next to the deceased couple. Rescuers whisked her away to the Pawz Dogs boarding facility in Panguitch, southern Utah. By Monday, Garfield County Sheriff’s deputies had asked Best Friends for assistance.
Mirage was picked up in Panguitch by the sanctuary’s veterinary staff and transported 70 miles to Best Friends’ on-site medical clinic. Despite the fact that Mirage’s carrier was dirty and torn, and her fur was matted, vets discovered that she was in good spirits.
“She was matted and a bit sore, but friendly upon examination, as well as drinking and eating on her own,” Best Friends tells PEOPLE, adding that Mirage had “weathered the fall fairly well.”
“Mirage is a very sweet cat considering everything she went through,” a sanctuary spokesperson adds. “She is been very patient with Best Friends Animal Sanctuary staff throughout the entire experience and has allowed us to do the necessary medical things to her.”
Best Friends’ chief sanctuary officer, Judah Battista, later told USA Today that Mirage’s X-rays showed fractured ribs. Additionally, the cat had two chipped canine teeth. The sanctuary informs PEOPLE that Mirage’s bloodwork was perfectly normal.
“Despite surviving a 400-foot fall, this remarkable little cat never lost her gentle spirit,” Best Friends tells me.
“… Her resilience is awe-inspiring, but it is her loving nature that truly leaves a mark,” a sanctuary spokesperson said. “She is a living miracle with a heart full of sweetness—still purring, still trusting, like nothing ever happened.”
Mirage is not currently available for adoption, but hundreds of other pets at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary are looking for their forever homes.