Fox cub rescued from storm drain reunited with mum

A fox cub trapped in a storm drain for three days has been reunited with his mother.

He was spotted deep in the drain in Glenfield, Leicester, by residents Michela and Andrew Firstbrook, who tried to free him themselves, but their efforts were in vain.

They then called in the RSPCA, which asked for help from Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service, and the cub was rescued and kept outside in a pet carrier.

RSPCA Inspector Beckie Harlock said: "So we left the little cub in the carrier, which we placed in a safe place, covered over, hoping mum would hear him call for her. Our plan worked."

The couple watched their pet cameras in the hope the cub's mum would return.

When she did, Michela says she rushed into the garden to open the cage and reunite the pair.

The cub was running through a network of tunnels under Stelle Way in Glenfield, Leicester

The fox cub is believed to have been trapped 1.8 metres (6ft) below ground level for three days before he was rescued

Andrew told the BBC it all began when they heard a barking noise about three days earlier and assumed it was a neighbour's new dog.

Michela realised the sound was coming from a drain on her way back from work on Monday.

Her father used a pickaxe to lift the drain cover, revealing the cub was stuck about 1.8 metres (6ft) below ground level.

"We tried to flush it out," Andrew said. "I got a piece of wood and nailed some carpet to it and we put some ham on a piece of string.

"It turns out the drain is quite deep and large with a number of connected tunnels and we could hear the fox going up and down the different tubes.

"It then took the ham, but it didn't come out, so Michela phoned the RSPCA."

Andrew and Michela set up motion detecting pet cameras overlooking the cage

Andrew added: "They came out and called South Leicestershire Fire and Rescue, and they were out there for about two or three hours, pulling up all the manholes and it was going up and down the tunnels.

"Eventually, they managed to use towels to block off the tunnels and drain rods to coax the fox in the right direction, before one of the firefighters, who was in one of the manholes, managed to catch it in a cage."

Ms Harlock said: "This was such a perfect result. At this time of the year, reports about young foxes getting themselves in a pickle tend to rocket.

"At that age, they're very curious about the world but unaware of the dangers."

Watch manager Stephen Willatt said: "We're very glad to hear the cub and its mother have been reunited.

"If you find an animal in distress please contact the appropriate animal welfare organisation, and do not endanger yourself in trying to rescue it."

The cub inside a pet carrier before mum arrived on the scene