17 Nov 2023
RSPCA officers have saved a fox which fell down an uncovered manhole on a building site in Grosvenor Road.
The wild animal was discovered by a worker during a morning site inspection and the RSPCA was called for help.
RSPCA inspector Nicole Pendrell-Smith said: “The poor fox was very weak and his head was drooping towards water which had collected at the bottom of the hole. He had probably been stuck down this hole all night and I knew I had to get him out fast.
“Before I arrived, the worried workers had put down some strapping in the hope the animal would be able to haul himself out, but unfortunately that didn’t work.”
After the rescue, the fox had to be checked over at a nearby wildlife hospital – and the RSPCA believes the incident highlights the potential danger uncovered traps can pose to wildlife and other animals.
Nicole added: “Because the fox was so lethargic, it was relatively straightforward to hold him in my ‘graspers’ and I was then able to put him into a carrier. There was the worrying possibility that he might have hypothermia, so my colleague, animal rescue officer Nick Jonas, took him to South Essex Wildlife Hospital to be cared for.
“Happily, following a thorough check up, the hospital was able to rehabilitate the fox and he was soon released back into the wild. I’d like to thank the St Albans building site staff for reporting the plight of this fox to us, and South Essex Wildlife Hospital for successfully treating and rehabilitating him so that he could return to the wild where he belongs.
“We often get called to cases of wildlife stuck in drains and holes and this incident does highlight the importance of checking workplaces or gardens for any potential uncovered traps.”
