Four orphaned fox cubs saved after falling 20ft down oil-covered pit

13 May 2024 , 14:58

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The rescued fox cubs that fell into the deep concrete pits (Image: RSPCA/SWNS)

Four adorable fox cubs were saved after they plunged 20ft into an oil-covered pit on a building site.

Rescuers believe the animals got lost after their mother died and they tumbled into the concrete hole while they searched for food and shelter. RSPCA inspectors dashed to the building site in Cannock, Staffs., on April 29 after workers found one of the orphaned cubs covered in oil and tar.

Workers found another cub the next day and then two more on May 1.All four had tumbled 6m (19.6ft) into the pits. The animals survived serious injuries and were taken to Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre in Nantwich, Cheshire, for cleaning. They are believed to be from the same litter, although their mum is sadly thought to have died.

The cubs were covered in oil (RSPCA/SWNS)

RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer Sophie Taylor, who used a ladder to climb down and rescue two of the female cubs, said: "It was a steep descent and I was amazed, but relieved to find they hadn't broken any bones. The pits were huge and they were difficult to spot at first, but they were well and truly stranded down there, there was absolutely no way out for them.

"Like so many of us who want the best for animals, the staff were really concerned for their well being and they did the right thing by calling us, rather than attempting to handle the cubs themselves, who by that stage would have been frightened and stressed." Sophie's colleague, Animal Rescue Officer Tom Hall, was then called back to the site again on May 1 after a male and a female cub were discovered.

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Stapeley Grange manager Lee Stewart said: "They were covered in oil when they arrived and their coats were greasy and smelt strongly of chemicals. Our vet was concerned they might have ingested the oil, so they were given oral charcoal treatment to help counteract that.

The fox cubs fell into the deep concrete pits (RSPCA/SWNS)

"We also carefully checked for any signs of burning to the skin before washing them with warm water and washing up liquid, and flushing their eyes and applying lubricant. They were all a little on the thin side, but not emaciated, although sadly we think their mum has probably perished.

"They'll be carefully monitored by our wildlife team and will be with us for about six months. They'll be joined over time by other fox cubs, most of whom will also have been orphaned."

Rom Preston-Ellis