TACOMA, Wash. — A coordinated search involving Tacoma police officers, search-and-rescue volunteers, drone teams, and K9 units successfully located a missing man with Alzheimer’s who had wandered from his family during a zoo visit on Saturday.

Gary, who was reported missing at Point Defiance Zoo, was found several hours later clinging to a tree root down a steep embankment approximately 3.5 miles from his last known location. A German shepherd K9 team detected his voice off-trail, leading rescuers to his position along the cliffside.

Using live GPS mapping and a multi-agency response, teams worked together to pull Gary to safety. He was uninjured and reunited with his family.

Tacoma Police Department credited the successful outcome to teamwork, technology, and the persistence of all involved.

Source: Tacoma Police Department