A dramatic rescue operation saw a fox cub who was stuck in a four-inch wide drainpipe saved.
The RSPCA teamed up with Stockport-based charity The Fox Rescuers to help the baby after he got himself tightly wedged two-feet underground at a property in Lindow Road, Old Trafford.
The homeowner contacted The Fox Rescuers after hearing the cub crying in their cellar well.
Rescuers tried using a grasper, a slip noose cable attached to a sturdy pole for animal handling professionals to safely retract them, but to no avail - and despite leaving food for the cub in the pipe, he was not eating.
They then contacted the RSPCA and Quick Drains and Plumbing Services for assistance, and RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer Lee Ferrans headed to the scene.
He 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.
Mr Ferrans added: “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.
The RSPCA officer continued: “He is now with the Fox Rescuers who are doing a fantastic job of rehabilitating him.
"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.”
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