For the workers at Georgia Kraft Co., the day began as usual, but one tree changed everything and turned their work into a fantastic discovery.

It happened in 1980. Seven or eight men arrived at the site shortly after ten in the morning. There was a lot of work to be done before the end of the shift, so everyone immediately got down to their own business. Everything went as usual until lunch, but after the break, the loggers’ attention was drawn to a strange trunk.

At first glance, it seemed that something was stuck inside the tree. However, the mystery turned out to be much more unusual. One of the brave souls bent down and looked into the hollow, but immediately recoiled with a scream. His face turned pale, and, having caught his breath, he told the others that he had seen some kind of creature inside.

The team looked at each other in bewilderment – what kind of animal could be in such a place? According to them, a long muzzle, paws, and sharp teeth were clearly visible in the darkness. The wood blocked the light, making it difficult to see the details, but it is evident that there was a predator inside.

The manager who was informed about the find told him not to get distracted and to continue felling the forest. But curiosity got the better of him: how could an animal end up so close to the top of a hollow trunk?

The answer was found only later. An examination showed that it was a dog that once lived in these places. According to experts, around 1960, the dog chased a squirrel or a raccoon, climbed into the hollow trunk to a height of almost nine meters, and got trapped, unable to get out. He died there, and thanks to the conditions inside the tree, his body was preserved.

More than a year passed before scientists gave a conclusion. The animal was about four years old at the time of death. Over time, the dog was nicknamed Stuckie, and in 2002, it became part of the Southern Forest World museum’s exhibition.

Today, the dog’s mummy is the main exhibit of the museum. Thousands of tourists come to see it, and Stuckie’s image is used on souvenirs and postcards. At the same time, the debates do not subside: some believe that the animal should be given a decent burial, while others are sure that this is how Stuckie continues to live in people’s memories.

So the sad story of the hunt for prey turned into a unique museum exhibit, known throughout the world.