A woman who went missing for nearly two weeks while hiking solo in Australia’s Snowy Mountains was found “dazed and injured” on Sunday, after suffering a suspected snakebite, CNN reports, citing the police.
Lovisa Sjoberg, 48, was spotted by rescuers walking along a bush trail in Kosciuszko National Park, southwest of the capital Canberra.
New South Wales Police Superintendent Toby Lindsay said on Monday that Sjoberg was “fortunate to be alive” after being bitten by a snake, potentially a copperhead. The venomous species can deliver a painful bite that can lead to death without medical attention.
Sjoberg’s disappearance sparked a major search effort after her rented car was found in the former gold mining town of Kiandra near the mountains. Police launched a six-day search operation involving helicopters, planes, and search teams on foot and horseback, finally locating her on Sunday.
It remains unclear how long Sjoberg was missing in the wilderness, but she was last seen driving the rental car on October 15.
The northern part of Kosciuszko National Park had recently reopened to visitors following an annual winter closure. This year, the park was closed for an extended period due to an aerial culling operation targeting deer, pigs and wild horses known as brumbies, in an effort to protect the alpine environment.
Sjoberg, an avid photographer and experienced hiker, is known to be passionate about wild horses, with an Instagram account dedicated to images of the animals. Her disappearance sparked concern within brumby advocacy groups, particularly amidst controversy surrounding the recent cull.
The New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) conducted the cull, arguing it was necessary to protect native plants and animals in the alpine wilderness, which are vulnerable to damage from feral animals.
The Snowy Mountains, part of the Great Dividing Range, are popular with hikers and skiers, attracting visitors to nearby resorts during the annual ski season.
