Man survives on ants for six days in Australian desert

Reg Foggerdy, 62, who disappeared on October 7, is comforted by police trackers after finding him on October 13. Mr Foggerdy survived his six-day ordeal by eating black ants, police said. Western AustShow more

PERTH, AUSTRALIA // A man missing for six days in a remote Australian desert in searing heat without water was found Tuesday after surviving by eating black ants, police said.

Reg Foggerdy, 62, disappeared on October 7 heading to the Shooter’s Shack camp near Laverton in the West Australian Goldfields, about 950 kilometres north-east of Perth, on a hunting trip.

When he failed to return, family members raised the alarm and a search by police trackers finally found him 15 kilometres from where he went missing.

Andy Greatwood, the Goldfields police superintendent, said Mr Foggerdy had been sitting under the same tree for the last two days, with no water during his ordeal.

"He was eating black ants, that's how he survived. So, fantastic survival skills by him, and fantastic skills by our trackers who found him in an extremely remote location," he told the West Australian newspaper.

“He was extremely dehydrated, a bit delusional, but we’ve administered first aid and rehydrated him and it’s pleasing to say he is now sitting up and talking.

“It was extremely hot, extremely remote, and most people probably wouldn’t have survived.”

Arlyn, his relieved wife, said she cried when she heard the news, delighted he managed to stay alive.

“How you can survive without water and food is a miracle,” she told ABC radio.

Mr Foggerdy’s sister, Christine Ogden, said her brother was an experienced bushman and said she would make sure he was better equipped in the future.

“I’m going to get him to get a satellite phone,” she told the radio station.

* Agence France-Presse