A fox cub that spent nearly two days with its head trapped in a plastic bottle, sustaining injuries that could have proved life-threatening, has been rescued by wildlife experts in Glasgow.
Rescue Operation in Glasgow
The Scottish SPCA were alerted to the male cub's plight after a member of the public spotted the animal in difficulty. Initial rescue attempts failed when the cub fled into its den, but officers returned the following day and successfully captured it.
The fox was first taken to the University of Glasgow’s Small Animal Hospital, where its wound was cleaned and pain relief administered. It remained there overnight before being transferred to the Scottish SPCA’s National Wildlife Rescue Centre at Fishcross in Clackmannanshire.
Littering Risks for Wildlife
The Scottish SPCA warned that litter can have devastating consequences for animals and urged the public to dispose of waste responsibly. An animal rescue officer stated: “This fox was incredibly fortunate. Had we not managed to catch him, the injuries caused by the bottle could have become life-threatening. Sadly, this isn’t an isolated incident. Every year, we see wild animals injured, trapped or killed by discarded litter. Something as simple as taking your rubbish home or disposing of it properly can prevent animals suffering in this way.”
The fox was rescued on June 27 and has been under close observation at Fishcross, receiving daily treatment for its wound.
Incident Statistics
The Scottish SPCA responded to nearly 109,000 wildlife incidents between 2023 and 2025, many involving animals injured or put at risk by human activity. The organisation is urging people to dispose of litter carefully to prevent avoidable suffering for wild animals.
