South Essex Wildlife Hospital rescue fox stuck in plughole

The cub had to be freed by a wildlife hospital with some "delicate ear-folding" when it became stuck in the ceramic basin in a garden in Basildon for several hours.

Photos show the fox peering up looking very sorry for itself as its back half sits free of the disused sink last week.

**WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGE**

Rescue - the fox was stuck for several hours (Image: South Essex Wildlife Hospital)

The animal had injured its front paws and had a swollen neck after trying to escape but was treated by South Essex Wildlife Hospital, in Orsett.

A spokesman for the wildlife hospital said: "It seemed that the homeowners were sorting out a shed and happened to leave it lying sideways when the poor creature decided to stick his head inside.

"Waking up the next morning to find the poor cub trapped, they called us out and our head vet Tom rushed over to help.

Stuck - the fox is now back with his family (Image: South Essex Wildlife Hospital)

"As strange as it sounds, we have actually done this sort of rescue a few times and, with a little help and some delicate ear-folding, Tom managed to get him free.

"Back at our hospital in Orsett, Tom fixed the damage to the paws and started the cub on a treatment plan to combat any ill effect.

"We’re thrilled to say that this worked wonders and, two days after his entrapment, he was able to be released home to his family."

The hospital deals with more than 10,000 admissions from poorly wildlife each year and said the sink has now been moved to a different area of the homeowner's garden.

To donate to South Essex Wildlife Hospital, visit southessexwildlife.org/donate.