Fox on the run
RSPCA rescues animal trapped down manhole in Birmingham
Last updated 3rd May 2020
A daring rescue to help a young fox trapped down a manhole in Birmingham's been staged by the RSPCA - with help from DynoRod and firefighters.
People living near Grange Road heard the animal crying on Monday (27th April) and so called in the animal welfare charity - which sent out officers Cara Gibbon and Vic Hurr and inspector Nichola Geraghty.
Vic said, "There were two open manholes side by side in the back garden, with a wall between and piping running through.
"The young fox was stuck at the bottom of the manholes, around 7ft down, having clearly fallen into the drainage system after the manhole covers were lifted to clear a blockage.
"He was clearly very distressed and locals could hear him barking and crying. But whenever we tried to catch him he would run into the pipes and out of sight."
West Midlands Fire & Rescue service were called in too.
Vic added, "We set a fox trap and lowered it down into the manhole on a rope. We returned the following morning but he hadn’t been caught in the trap.
"We managed to locate the fox backed into a narrow pipe leading out of the drainage area where he’d dropped down into a junction area and out of reach.
"We called emergency drainage and plumbing firm, DynoRod, for help and we pushed a camera into the drain to locate the fox before using rods to carefully push him out.
"The cub was very wet and cold. His mum hadn’t been seen in the area for some time so we decided to take him to a local wildlife hospital for care until he’s old enough to be released.
"I’d like to say a huge thank you to the fire service, DynoRod worker Chris, and locals who all helped to ensure we could free this poor fox; and Vale Wildlife Hospital for taking him in.
"He’s since had a bath and been released out into an enclosure with a group of juvenile foxes. When they’re big enough they’ll be released back to the wild."
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