A Rotherhithe fox was lucky to escape with his life after being rescued from a 30-foot deep dry dock in scorching heat.
The fox was rescued from the dock on Thursday (August 11) after about 30 people staying at the Hilton hotel next to the dock reported it to the RSPCA.
RSPCA inspector Harriet Daliday said she knew she would have to rush to rescue the fox from the deep concrete container, because the 30-degree temperatures meant he would overheat fast.
Harriet said: “When I arrived at the location, I peered down into the container but couldn’t see the fox. There was no way he could have got out on his own, so I climbed down a ladder to search the inside of the empty concrete dock – it was like a furnace down there in the heat so I was instantly worried for the fox’s welfare considering he’d been down there for at least several hours.
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“There was still no sign of him, until I noticed a gap in the wall, just big enough for an animal – and there he was, trying his best to take shelter in the only bit of shade available.
“I swiftly contained him using a grasper and popped him safely in a crate, whilst two members of the hotel staff were on hand as I hauled him up and out of the dock using a long line.”
Harriet checked the fox over for injury. He was fine, so she released him into the nearby park.
Anyone who sees a fox in distress or injured can contact a local wildlife rehabilitator for help or call the RSPCA’s emergency line on 0300 1234 999 (8am-8pm).