This is the heartwarming moment a dog buried under ash during the recent Taal Volcano eruption in the Philippines was rescued.
The volcano in Batangas Province began spewing smoke and ash more than a week ago, and there are still severe risks that it could still lead to a major eruption.
Many locals have since fled the area with some leaving behind pets and livestock.
Rescuers found one dog buried under ash after it is thought to have taken shelter near a property.
The dog was found deeply buried in ash next to a home during the recent Taal Volcano eruption in the Philippines
Rescuers were able to retrieve the dog and life it out of the ash-filled hole it had found itself in
The Taal volcano spews plumes of ash into the sky as officials warn a catastrophic eruption is still possible
Rescue worker Jonathan Sumagang, who helped free the dog, said it was completely trapped in the ash and that they have nicknamed it ‘Lucky’ because it was amazing that it had managed to survive.
He said the dog’s eyes had already closed when they found it, and they were not even sure it was alive at first. When they realised it was alive rescue workers dug around the poor canine in order to create a hole to pull it to safety.
Video footage of the rescue operation was widely shared on social media with many inspired by the story of survival.
Volcanic ash can often be deadly especially when breathed in and it is still deemed too unsafe for many to return to their homes, although some have been back to collect valuables and possessions as they await further developments.
Rescuers gave the pooch some water after it is thought to have been trapped for days under ash
Volcano ash can often be deadly especially when breathed in and it is still deemed too unsafe for many to return to their homes (pictured, cows left behind by owners)
Activists from PETA Asia landed on Taal Island in Batangas Province, in the Philippines on January 13 to capture footage of the deserted animals left on the island and try to rescue them
Until then it is likely that Taal, which is an island around 60 kilometres (37 miles) south of the capital Manila, remains a risk.
Mariton Bornas, who is involved in predicting volcanic risk at the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), said the volcano remained at level IV, which is the second-highest in the country’s volcano warning system.
Rescue workers meanwhile have warned that horses, dogs and baby chickens have been left to die on Taal Island after the volcano’s activity left them with a severe lack of food and water after their owners evacuated the island.
Activists from PETA Asia landed on Taal Island in Batangas Province, in the Philippines on January 13 to capture footage of the deserted animals left on the island and try to rescue them.
In the clip, the activists can be seen rescuing horses – which had reportedly been used to transport tourists – from the island, while the body of a dead cow can be seen floating in the water.
A chicken is left covered in ash after enduring the volcanic eruption in the Philippines
Residents bring back rescued horses from their homes near the errupting Taal Volcano, in Talisay, Batangas, Philippines
The volcano has already spewed out vast quantities of ash which has covered properties and countryside and forced around 120,000 people to flee
Other images show barking dogs being rescued and fed, with one skinny pooch desperately eating from a bag.
PETA Asia spokesperson Nirali Shah said: ‘The current situation on the island is that there are many dead animals. There are survivors, but they’re in desperate need of help.
‘The island smells of rotting corpses, but there are still scared dogs, horses, cows, and other animals there who need to be rescued.
‘Priority number one is getting the green light for NGOs to conduct drops of food and clean water on the island.
‘Then—at PETA’s expense and at its team members’ own risk—large boats must access the island and rescue the animals for urgent veterinary care.’
The volcano has already spewed out vast quantities of ash which has covered properties and countryside and forced around 120,000 people to flee.
Government scientists urged evacuees to stay away as the volcano could still erupt.