This is the heartwarming moment a baby fox was cut free by rescuers after its head became stuck in a plastic bottle.
Animal rescuers were called after concerned residents in Eastbourne, East Sussex, found the seven week old cub running around with its head wedged in the tub.
Members of the East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Animal Service (WRAS) searched for the animal, after local people showed them a video of the stricken animal.
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The young fox, who was caught by rescuers after getting its head stuck inside a plastic bottle in Eastbourne
Animal rescuers were forced to try and remove the plastic bottle from the fox’s head as it was unable to eat or drink
The cub was discovered when rescuers spotted a young fox after seeing movement in the bushes
Senior rescuer Chris Riddington, who was shown the clip, said: ‘It looked as though the cub has its head in a jar, but it was difficult to tell exactly what it was.
‘He was running around between the bushes, and was slightly disorientated.’
Two ambulances were also sent to the area to search for the young fox and as daylight appeared the rescuers continued to search the bushes in Woodgate Road.
Eventually, the cub was discovered when rescuers spotted a young fox after seeing movement in the bushes.
Kathryn Martyn, partner of the WRAS founder, Trevor Weeks, said: ‘We didn’t want to give up, as we were concerned the cub might develop breathing problems and was probably already becoming hungry and dehydrated.
Rescuers had to use scissors to carefully remove the jar from the fox’s head, after there were fears it would have trouble breathing
The cub was checked over by WRAS vet Mike Symons at WRAS’s Casualty Centre and was then bedded for the night to recuperate
‘We knew the longer we left the fox the worse the condition of the cub would become. There was a chance the fox could be dead by morning.’
Whiile Mr Riddington added: ‘We used torches to help pin point where the cub was.
‘Trevor was hidden in the darkness so the cub couldn’t see him and luckily it ran straight towards him where he was able to catch him in a net.’
The cub was placed in a carrier and taken back to WRAS’s veterinary ambulance to have the plastic container removed.
A hole was cut at the end to help with breathing and then bandage scissors were used to cut the tub.
The young fox cub is currently being cared for at East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Animal Service Casualty Care Centre
WRAS founder Mr Weeks explained: ‘The top of the tub where a lid screws on was quite thick plastic and difficult to cut.
‘We had had to use bandage scissors to cut the plastic and we also be careful that not to injure the cub as we were cutting.
‘I then assessed the cub’s neck for swelling and any other injuries, signs of infection as well as fly eggs and maggots. The cub’s head certainly didn’t smell nice.’
The cub was checked over by WRAS vet Mike Symons at WRAS’s Casualty Centre and was then bedded for the night to recuperate.
Mr Weeks added: ‘Luckily the wounds were not too serious and we hope it will be a quick recovery so the cub can get back to its mum.’
The fox cub is currently at WRAS’s Casualty Care Centre receiving treatment.