Fox cub recovering after getting stuck in an underground pipe in Old Trafford
A camera had to go into the pipe to check cub was still alive
A dramatic joint rescue operation has been carried out to rescue a fox cub who was stuck in a four-inch wide drainpipe, two feet underground.
The RSPCA, the Fox Rescuers and Quick Drains and Plumbing Services joined forces to help the feisty cub after he got himself tightly wedged at a property in Lindow Road, Old Trafford, Manchester.
The homeowner contacted the Fox Rescuers after hearing the cub in their cellar well - but it wasn’t an easy task to rescue him as he’d got himself wedged into a four-inch (10cm) wide drainage pipe which was two feet (0.6m) beneath the ground.
Rescuers tried using a grasper to no avail, and despite leaving food for the cub in the pipe, he wasn’t eating.
They contacted the RSPCA and Quick Drains for assistance, and RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer Lee Ferrans headed to the scene.
Lee said: “The pipe was at a right angle which meant it was really difficult to get any equipment in there to free the cub. The Quick Drains team put a camera into the pipe so we could check the fox was still breathing and thankfully he was. We could see he was very distressed, he hadn’t eaten for a few days and he needed to get out as soon as possible.
“It was decided the only way to get the fox out was to dig a hole and take out the pipe. The homeowner gave us permission and, after a lot of hard work, the fox cub was finally free. He was very shaken and very thin but also growling and trying to bite, which is a good sign.”
The cub was taken to a local vet, who estimated he was around four weeks old and had likely strayed from his mum.
“He is now with the Fox Rescuers who are doing a fantastic job of rehabilitating him,” said Lee. “Once he is strong enough he will be released back into the wild. This was a great example of what we can achieve together for animal welfare, and for every kind.
“Rescues like this are always tense as we all want the best thing for the animal. I’m just so pleased that this fox was freed, it was a real joint effort.”