Lebrela de Términos, Female greyhound dog in Laguna de Términos, Mexico
Lebrela de Términos was a hunting dog lost during early Spanish expeditions to the Laguna de Términos coastal area in Mexico. She was later discovered on Carmen Island, where she had survived by successfully hunting rabbits and deer.
This dog was lost during Juan de Grijalva's 1518 expedition and was found ten months later by Hernán Cortés's fleet in 1519. Her story documents one of the first recorded instances of animal survival during Spain's exploration of Mexico's coasts.
This dog's story was recorded by Spanish chronicler Bernal Díaz del Castillo, showing how important hunting dogs were to early explorers. Her survival demonstrates the bond between crew members and their animals during conquest expeditions.
Information about this dog can be found in museums and collections documenting early Spanish expeditions in Mexico. Visitors interested in colonial history can explore local archives and historical resources related to these voyages of discovery.
The dog was recognized and welcomed when Cortés's fleet discovered her, suggesting she remembered her previous human companions after months alone. This remarkable case reveals how animal memory and attachment can survive even under harsh conditions in the wilderness.
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