Three fox cubs trapped in a narrow gap between two houses in Leicester have been released back into the wild weeks after their rescue. Firefighters smashed through bricks on a garage wall to free the 12-week-old cubs, which had become wedged between two walls on Easter Sunday.
Rescue operation on Letchworth Road
Rescue teams were called to Letchworth Road after residents reported hearing a fox crying in distress. Crews found the three cubs lodged in a six-inch (15cm) gap and lifted them to safety.
A spokesperson for Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service said: 'Our Technical Rescue Team from Southern Station were called to a house on Letchworth Road in Leicester, where a fox could be heard trapped between two buildings.'
Recovery and release
The cubs were taken to Leicestershire Wildlife Hospital, where staff nursed them back to full health. One of them required oxygen therapy using a specialist mask for small animals.
Amy Blower, team leader at the charity, told the BBC: 'One of them was particularly poorly and was on oxygen overnight at a local vet's and it wasn't certain if it would pull through, but thankfully it did.'
The trio were released together at an undisclosed location last week. Sharing footage on social media, the hospital said: 'The three cubs have been in our care, learning all the essential skills needed for life back in the wild – enjoying digging and searching for their food, alongside lots of enrichment.'
'Last week, it was time for their release. Here, they are being support fed for a while until they have adjusted to life back in the wild!'
Blower added: 'They've been digging holes like they would dig a den, so we knew they'd be capable of building their own in the wild. They will be support fed for a minimum of two weeks until they've adjusted to finding their own food.'
Safety warning
The fire service spokesperson reminded the public: 'Remember – never attempt to rescue an animal in distress if it means putting yourself in danger – always contact the appropriate animal rescue organisation.'
