Cat Survives 380-Foot Fall That Killed a Couple Hiking in a National Park

• On April 29, rescuers found Mirage the cat in a carrier beside two dead bodies, the sole survivor of a 380-foot fall
• After rescuers discovered the cat alive, they transported her to an animal rescue near Bryce Canyon National Park
• Mirage the cat was later transferred to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah, where she is receiving treatment

An animal rescue has a harrowing survival story to tell after taking in a cat found in Utah’s Bryce Canyon National Park, where the feline and two hikers fell more than 300 feet, a drop that killed the couple.

The Garfield County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement on Wednesday, April 30, that tourists spotted two people who had fallen 380 feet below the national park’s Inspiration Point between Monday evening and Tuesday morning.

According to local outlets KUTV and KSL.com, officials said that the couple, identified as 45-year-old Matthew Nannen and Bailee Crane, 58, had crossed over a safety railing. Still, details about why they fell are currently unknown.

Investigators added to the outlets that Nannen and Crane’s last known address was in Florida, but the couple had seemingly been living out of a U-Haul van and were spending time in Arizona before their deaths.

According to Best Friends Animal Society, one member of the group survived the steep drop to the bottom of the canyon. The sole survivor was a 12-year-old cat named Mirage.

The feline is recuperating at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah. Created by Best Friends Animal Society, the shelter is the world’s largest no-kill animal sanctuary, housing over 1,600 rescue animals.

A spokesperson for Best Friends Animal Sanctuary says that on April 29, rescuers found the cat inside a black, soft-sided carrier next to the deceased couple. Rescuers quickly transported her to the Pawz Dogs boarding facility in Panguitch, located in southern Utah. By Monday, Garfield County Sheriff’s deputies had contacted Best Friends for help.

The sanctuary’s veterinary staff picked up Mirage in Panguitch and brought her over 70 miles to Best Friends’ on-site medical clinic. Vets found that although Mirage’s carrier was dirty and torn, and her fur was a bit matted, she was in good spirits overall.

“She was matted and a bit sore, but friendly upon examination, as well as drinking and eating on her own,” Best Friends tells PEOPLE, adding that Mirage had “weathered the fall fairly well.”

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

“Mirage is a very sweet cat considering everything she went through,” a sanctuary spokesperson adds. “She’s been very patient with Best Friends Animal Sanctuary staff throughout the entire experience and has allowed us to do the necessary medical things to her.”

Best Friends’ chief sanctuary officer Judah Battista later told USA Today that Mirage’s X-rays revealed fractured ribs. Plus, the cat had two chipped canine teeth. The sanctuary tells PEOPLE that Mirage’s bloodwork was completely normal.

“Despite surviving a 400-foot fall, this remarkable little cat never lost her gentle spirit,” Best Friends adds.

“… Her resilience is awe-inspiring, but it’s her loving nature that truly leaves a mark,” the sanctuary says. “She’s a living miracle with a heart full of sweetness—still purring, still trusting, like nothing ever happened.”

Mirage is not available for adoption at this time, but hundreds of other pets at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary are looking for forever homes.