Eastbourne fox cub with head stuck in jar is freed

Rescuers used surgical scissors to free the fox cub from the jar

A fox cub has been freed after getting its head stuck in a plastic jar.

The animal, thought to be about seven weeks old, was spotted on waste ground with the tub covering its head by residents in Eastbourne, East Sussex.

A team from East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service (WRAS) trapped the cub on Tuesday evening and cut the jar off using surgical scissors.

WRAS founder Trevor Weeks said the fox was potentially hours away from dying. It is being treated by the WRAS.

The cub had been spotted on waste ground with the plastic jar covering its head

The cub is now recovering at the WRAS casualty care centre

"We didn't want to give up, as we were worried the cub might develop breathing problems and was probably already becoming dehydrated and hungry too.

"We knew the longer we left the fox the worse condition the cub would be in. There was a chance the fox could be dead by the morning," he said.

The cub also received anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics at the service's casualty care centre where it is recovering.

"Luckily the wounds were not too serious and we hope that he will be a quick turn-around and back to mum," said Mr Weeks.