Karina Chikitova's incredible story of survival in the Siberian wilderness alongside her loyal dog won hearts worldwide in 2014. Today, she is flourishing.
The tale of Karina Chikitova, who went missing in the taiga at age four, touched millions across the planet.
Now eight years old (turning nine in December), Karina has led an extraordinary life.
Travelers arriving at Yakutsk Airport, the capital of Siberia's diamond-rich Sakha republic, can spot a bronze monument honoring Karina and her faithful dog Naida.
The little girl had trailed her father into the perilous forest but quickly lost her bearings.
Rescue teams scoured the woods for nearly fourteen days without success.
Eventually, the mixed-breed dog abandoned her grassy shelter to go fetch assistance.
Today, Karina is a gifted ballet dancer who dreams of performing as the lead in Swan Lake on a major stage.
During freezing nights, she held tight to her dog for warmth, and she sustained herself by sipping stream water and foraging for berries.
Her rescuer, Artyom Borisov, recalled: ‘She was sitting deep in deergrass, completely silent.
‘I didn’t actually notice her. She saw me and stretched her arms forward.
‘I picked her up, she was so tiny, so light, like fluff. She didn’t have shoes on.
‘Her face, legs and arms were bitten to blood. She was dead scared.
‘Straight away she asked to for water and food, and burst into tears.
‘To be honest I could hardly hold back tears, too.’
‘I picked her up, she was so tiny, so light, like fluff. She didn’t have shoes on.’
Later Karina said: ‘It was Naida who rescued me. I was really, really scared.
‘But when we were going to sleep I hugged her, and together we were warm.’
Not many children have monuments erected in their honor, yet Karina also has a picture book based on her ordeal.
‘I’ve seen the statue at the airport,’ she said proudly. We look very much alike, specially Naida’.
Four years after her rescue, she has become a local legend in Sakha and continues to excel.
Karina is a promising ballerina who aspires to dance Swan Lake on a prestigious stage.
An Evenk by ethnicity, Karina turns nine this December. She is currently in her second year at a specialized ballet boarding school in Yakutsk, located roughly 557 km from her grandparents' home in Olom.
‘When she just started her classes, Karina was very reserved, she tried to stay away and looked around with her big scared eyes,” said Ekaterina Ammosova, head of the school dormitory.
‘She has changed so much and became a lot more open, sociable, friendly and independent. She made many friends who love her lots.’
Karina, who lives with her devoted guardian Albina Cherepanova (59) in Yakutsk and spends long summer breaks with her mother Talina (25), commented: ‘I like to study, even though sometimes it’s hard….
‘I’ve already performed on stage. I want to become a ballerina and dance Swan Lake.
‘I learned how to play the jaw harp and piano.’
‘I’ve already performed on stage. I want to become a ballerina and dance Swan Lake.’
Additionally, she studies English and shows skill in drawing.
Her ballet teacher Dariya Ivanova, 66, said: ‘Karina is very strong physically. She is extremely flexible, with strong legs.’
Dariya describes her as ‘very expressive, passionate about dancing, hardworking and diligent’.
Dariya said: ‘She has a chance for a future….
‘Any judgments can be done when girls are finishing the 4th grade – by that age its clear if they become professional ballerinas or a dance teacher will be the top of their careers.’
Albina is determined to support Karina's path forward.
Karina with her caring guardian, Albina Cherepanova.
Albina first encountered Karina when her grandson wanted to meet the celebrated child after reading the story about her.
‘I realised at this moment that the girl needed help and was very happy to keep her in Yakutsk,’ she said.
‘I am proud of her being able to study at the ballet school.’
According to Albina, Karina ‘desperately’ misses her mother, who cares for the dog that rescued her, yet she is thrilled with the child's development since moving to Yakutsk.
A potential plan involves fundraising to allow Karina to train at a top-tier ballet academy down the line.
At Yakutsk Airport, travelers encounter a monument commemorating Karina and her devoted dog Naida.
Another rescuer said at the time Karina was saved: ‘The forest around Olom is full of bears…..
‘The thought of bears immediately switched to another concern: somewhere in the forest was this helpless child.’
Naida remained by Karina's side for nine days before returning to Olom.
Though the dog couldn't lead them back to the girl, its return convinced searchers she was alive, prompting intensified efforts.
When she was reunited with the dog, Karina’s first words to her pet were: ‘Why did you leave me?’
Undoubtedly, the dog's behavior saved Karina's life.
‘Karina is very strong physically. She is extremely flexible, with strong legs.’
This article originally appeared on SiberianTimes.com, written by Valeria Sukhova on 24 October 2018.
