A small dog named Coco was rescued from a challenging location on a 90-metre cliff at Badia Gran, near the Mirador de Pedrafort in Llucmajor on Monday morning. The area is known for its steep and hazardous terrain where both animals and humans have fallen before.
On Sunday evening, a father and his daughter were walking their dog Coco near the cliff edge when the dog slipped and fell down the rock face. "The firefighters from Parc de Llucmajor were alerted and a team quickly arrived at the viewpoint; although the animal was unresponsive. It was very dark and windy, making it dangerous for the rescue team to descend. It was decided not to risk the rescue until the animal's condition and exact location could be confirmed," said Joan Fornàs, Director Insular d'Emergències.
The initial rescue attempt involved the local Llucmajor unit, which includes an experienced Canine Unit. Firefighter Guillem Mas assessed the situation and proposed that the Llucmajor Local Police deploy drones early the next morning to locate Coco and assist in his safe recovery.
At approximately 07:10 on Monday, the owners returned to the cliff and called out to the dog. Remarkably, after several attempts, Coco responded with some barks. This prompted another alert to the firefighters who, aided by municipal drones, found the dog alive on a small ledge about 15 metres down.
"It was a miracle. Had he fallen the full 90 metres, survival would have been impossible. We are very pleased," explained the firefighters involved in the operation.
The rescue team used an aerial ladder and a specialist firefighter descended to retrieve the Yorkshire Terrier, who was unharmed but dazed from the fall and overnight exposure. The entire rescue effort lasted over an hour and a half and required significant technical resources, including a special carrying bag designed for animal extractions.
During the ascent, Coco's owners expressed their gratitude while reunited with their pet, visibly emotional after the ordeal. The collaboration between the firefighters and local police in Llucmajor was crucial in the successful rescue of the dog from the dangerous cliffside.