Back in 2019, Diesel the pack donkey noped out of his cushy life on a California ranch. One minute he’s hiking with his human and a llama, next minute something (probably a mountain lion) freaks him out and poof—he bolts into the brush, saddlebags flapping.

Weeks of searching with drones and horses? Nada. Everyone figured Diesel was coyote chow.

Fast-forward a few years and boom—trail cam footage shows a big-ass donkey rolling with a herd of Tule elk like he’s their mob boss. Then a 2024 video drops of him leading the whole damn crew. The elk move when he moves. His old owners? Thrilled. Also realistic—he’s basically a wild burro now, and catching him would be like trying to lasso smoke.

The internet had a field day:

“Diesel was his captivity name. He goes by Brian now. Call him Diesel and you’re in for a world of hurt.”

“Just give me a reason, motherf***er… make my day…” (imagining Diesel squaring off in some Clint Eastwood fever dream).

And my favorite: “Cowabunga it is” — picturing him yeeting a mountain lion.

Jokes aside, this dude went full survival mode, bonded with another species, and might even be running the show. From lost pack donkey to elk whisperer—Diesel’s living proof that sometimes when life kicks you in the teeth… you just join an elk gang and thrive.