Search for hero dog that tracked four children in the Amazon 

Belgian shepherd Wilson went missing during the search and is now himself the target of a sophisticated rescue operation

Wilson and four more sniffer dogs were taken to the rainforest in May to find the single engine Cessna plane that had crashed into the rainforest, carrying the four children and three adults who were later found dead. picture: Colombia's Armed Forces Press Office via AP

A search is under way for a dog which became a national hero in Colombia after he helped the military find four indigenous children who survived a plane crash and were lost in the Amazon jungle for 40 days.

Pawprints from the military-trained search dog, called Wilson, led trackers to the children earlier this month.

But the Belgian shepherd went missing during the search and is now himself the target of a sophisticated rescue operation that started soon after the four young survivors were flown on a helicopter to Bogota.

The Colombian military says it has left 70 soldiers in the dense swathe of jungle around the crash site to look for its beloved search dog.

And commanders have vowed not to leave the remote area until soldiers return home with the star dog.

It has been a month since Wilson got lost in the rainforest, and it is hard to know if the two-year-old dog is still alive.

But the sniffer dog's rescue would lift the spirits of many Colombians, and add a heartwarming exclamation point to a survival story that has already captivated the world.

'Honour'

"For us it was an honour that our canine helped to find those children," said Sergeant Luis Fernando Sena, the commander of the canine school where Wilson was trained for 14 months in Bogota.

"It would be great news for the country, and for our children if he can be found," Sgt Sena said.

Wilson and four more sniffer dogs were taken to the rainforest in May to find the single engine Cessna plane that had crashed into the rainforest, carrying the four children and three adults who were later found dead.

When the small plane was found, and the search party realised the children could still be alive, Wilson's handler gave him some clothes to sniff, to track down the children.

The sniffer dog became separated from the search party on May 18, after he sped off into the forest following a scent.

Ten days later, the military found footprints of the children next to his pawprints.

Those clues helped them to get closer to the area where the children were found on June 9, said General Pedro Sanchez, who led the rescue effort.

"The children spoke to us, and confirmed that the dog was with them for two or three days," Gen Sanchez told Colombia's W radio.

The children are still recovering in hospital and have not spoken to the press.

But recently, 13-year-old Lesly Mucutuy, who is the oldest child in the group, drew a picture of the rainforest that included a black and coffee-coloured dog, which looks like Wilson.

Female dogs in heat

Last week, Colombia's military said it helicoptered two female dogs in heat to the area around the crash site, in the hopes of luring Wilson towards the search party.

Food has also been placed for the dog at several points around the crash site as well as clothes belonging to his handler, hoping their scent can guide Wilson back to safety.

But some experts believe Wilson may have already died in the rainforest, where a dog might struggle to find food and also risks attacks from poisonous snakes.

"It's a tough situation," said Mark Lee, a Colombian dog trainer and radio host who has 13 dogs at home, including a 10-year-old Belgian shepherd.

"I don't see a Belgian malinois eating fruits and leaves in the forest, or trying to catch an animal to survive. And I wouldn't see that in a dog that is used to having his food in his bowl, at regular hours."

Still, Colombia continues to root for the stranded dog: Wilson's name has become a popular hashtag on social media sites, with his fans posting messages that urge the military to continue the search.

The dog's story has led national news shows.

Spiritual coach

And a spiritual coach who claims she can speak with animals recently posted a viral video on TikTok, where she urges her followers to thank Wilson for the job he did, and "send light" to the dog, so he can find his way home — if that is what his soul desires.

At the canine academy in Bogota, Wilson's comrades said the dog was highly trained and accustomed to overcoming physical obstacles.

But ultimately, he will have to rely on his instincts to survive.

"He is very energetic, and always stood out because of his strength, his energy and his strong temperament," said Elvis Porras, a trainer who helped to raise Wilson and worked with the dog until he graduated from the academy earlier this year.

"He is a distant relative of wolves, so I hope his instinct to hunt will help him to survive."