On a typical spring day in Shoreham, England, the East Sussex Wildlife Rescue & Ambulance Service (WRAS) received a distress call around 5:30 p.m. regarding a helpless fox cub. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, WRAS reached out to volunteers from Brighton & Hove Wildlife Advice & Rescue Service (WARS), seeking their assistance in this matter.
The young fox was discovered with its head trapped in the central hole of a metal wheel, still attached to a tire. With utmost care, the fox was safely secured and transported to East Sussex WRAS’s Casualty Centre at Whitesmith near Lewes. Upon examination, it was evident that the fox's face was visibly swollen, and a wound was present behind one ear as a result of its entrapment.
Recognizing the complexity of the situation, WRAS's Care Team understood the challenges ahead. To alleviate the fox's distress and facilitate its release, WRAS's veterinarian administered an anesthetic. With great caution and precision, the fox's head was gradually and delicately manipulated, gently bending the ears to free it from its confinement.
"The swelling subsided within the next 24 hours, and the wound behind the cub's ear began to enlarge as the skin deteriorated due to pressure necrosis. It is not uncommon for such wounds to worsen before they improve under these circumstances. The fox itself was undoubtedly experiencing significant improvement," stated Katie Nunn Nash, Lead Casualty Manager.
The Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service's (WRAS) Care Team and veterinarian have diligently monitored the fox's progress, and it is now anticipated that the wound will fully heal, enabling the fox to eventually return to its natural habitat.
In a Facebook post, Trevor Weeks MBE, WRAS Operations Director, commended the actions and unwavering commitment of all those involved in the rescue and subsequent care of the fox.
