It was an ordinary spring day in Shoreham, England, when East Sussex Wildlife Rescue & Ambulance Services (WRAS) received an urgent call. A young fox pup had managed to wedge her head through the center of a rusted tire and couldn’t free herself. Trapped and terrified, she seemed to be running out of hope.
The WRAS team shared the distressing news on Facebook: “The young fox was discovered with her head through the central hole in a metal wheel, which still had the tire attached.”
Recognizing the severity of the situation, WRAS called in reinforcements from the Brighton Hove Wildlife Advice & Rescue Service. Together, the two rescue teams raced to the scene, hoping it wasn’t too late.
When they arrived, the sight was heartbreaking. The tire was clamped tightly around the fox’s neck, and her small face was visibly swollen. Freeing her there and then wasn’t an option—they’d have to take her back to their clinic for help.
With utmost care, they transported the frightened pup to the East Sussex WRAS Casualty Centre. Once there, they got a clearer view of the damage. “The fox’s face was clearly swollen, and there was a wound behind one ear due to being stuck,” WRAS reported. “Our care team knew this was not going to be easy…”
To keep the little fox calm, the veterinary team gently administered a mild anesthetic. Once she was asleep, the delicate work began. Slowly and methodically, they maneuvered her head, folding her ears just enough to slide her free from the heavy, rusted tire.
It wasn’t easy, but after what must have felt like an eternity, the team succeeded. The fox was finally free. Although she had some minor wounds and lingering soreness, her spirit seemed to bounce back almost immediately.
“The fox herself was certainly feeling much better,” WRAS shared.
The young pup stayed with her rescuers to heal, receiving all the care and love she needed. Finally, the day came when she was strong enough to return to the wild. Her rescuers released her back into the woods, where she could enjoy her freedom once more.
These days, she might poke her head through a bush or dip her nose into a pond—but one thing is for sure: she’ll think twice before investigating the center of a rusty wheel ever again.
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