Alva Review-Courier -

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Things first started to go wrong for Flint the rat-sniffing dog when a sealion charged at him. It emerged from the scrub, lurching and bellowing, full of aggression.

Spooked, he ran from his handler and no amount of calling or whistling could lure him back. Flint was lost and alone on uninhabited Campbell Island, located between mainland New Zealand and Antarctica.

Making things worse? Flint was wearing a muzzle, so he couldn't eat and would find it difficult, perhaps impossible, to drink.

The clock was ticking on his survival.

Flint was there as part of Ope...