AssetID: 54753812
Headline: Fox Cub Rescued From Storm Drain Has Heartwarming Reunion With Mum
Caption: **VIDEO AVAILABLE: CONTACT INFO@COVERMG.COM TO RECEIVE** A fox cub who got stuck in a drain in Glenfield, Leicester was rescued and reunited with his mum. Concerned Glenfield Road residents had heard barking for some time. First, they thought it was perhaps a neighbour’s new dog. But eventually, they managed to pinpoint where the sound was coming from - inside a storm drain. When they lifted off the cover, they could see a little fox cub approximately six feet down (1.8m) at the bottom. The residents tried to help him climb out, but it was so deep that the cub had no way to escape. His mum could be seen pacing anxiously nearby, unable to reach him, so they contacted the RSPCA for help on Monday (12May2025). RSPCA Inspector Beckie Harlock said: “This little fox cub was six feet down a drain and couldn’t get out. His poor mum must have been beside herself with worry. “We’re not quite sure how he got down there, but as it was pretty deep, I needed expert help so I contacted Leicestershire Fire & Rescue, who were brilliant. “A member of their team lowered himself down into the drain and was able to gently contain the baby fox in a carrier. When we got him up to the surface, I quickly checked the cub for injuries but luckily, he hadn’t been hurt. “Because his mum was in the vicinity, we knew there was a chance to reunite her with her baby. So we left the little cub in the carrier, which we placed in a safe place, covered over, hoping mum would hear him call for her. Our plan worked. Video images from a wildlife trail camera later showed mum cautiously sniffing around the container, so once it was clear she realised her baby was inside, the cover was taken off and the lid was removed so the cub could get out.” Beckie added: “It wasn’t long before the young fox realised he could now jump out of the carrier and he soon went looking for his mum, who was nearby. Amazingly, after a short while, they found each other and happily disappeared together, presumably towards their den. This was such a perfect result! “At this time of the year, reports about young foxes getting themselves in a pickle tend to rocket. At that age, they’re very curious about the world but unaware of the dangers. This incident had a happy ending, but could have turned out very differently. Our thanks go to the alert residents who discovered the plight of the fox cub and reported it to us. “We’re also very grateful to Leicestershire Fire & Rescue for their expert and invaluable help”. Stephen Willatt, Watch Manager for Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service, said, “Earlier this week we were called by the RSPCA to a drainage system in Glenfield where a fox cub had been stuck for over 24 hours. Our crew could hear the cub barking, and we used a snake-eye camera to locate it, and chimney rods to release and rescue it. “The RSPCA were keen to return the cub to its natural way of life, so it was left with a local resident who has regular fox visitors to their garden. We’re very glad to hear the cub and its mother have been reunited. If you find an animal in distress please contact the appropriate animal welfare organisation, and do not endanger yourself in trying to rescue it.” The RSPCA knows that animal lovers want to help where they can and urges them to be wildlife smart this spring and summer. Successful rescues of wild animals can be time-critical, so as long as it’s safe to do so, the charity is actively encouraging members of the public to take any orphaned or injured small animals that are safe to handle directly to a local vet or if they live close to one of the RSPCA’s four wildlife centres in Cheshire, Norfolk, Sussex and Somerset. The RSPCA also urges the public to be aware that some animals who look vulnerable may actually be better left alone. Fledgling birds and some young foxes are often being watched over by their parents, and don’t need help from humans.
Keywords: feature,video,photo,fox,nature,natural world,rspca
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