Rhino stuck in tyre rescued by firefighters at Edinburgh Zoo

Qabid escaped injury after becoming stuck in the tyre

A rhino had to be rescued by firefighters after becoming stuck in a tyre at Edinburgh Zoo for about two hours.

Qabid, a two-year-old male rhino, managed to get his head and leg trapped.

Firefighters who were called out on Sunday evening used cutting gear to free the stricken mammal.

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman said: "One zookeeper said the fire service were their last hope."

'Not first time'

SFRS group manager John Hanlin said: "The crew did a great job in a very unusual situation.

"The rhino was stuck tight in the tyre and had to be sedated by the zoo vets as he was becoming distressed.

"Edinburgh Zoo staff informed me that this event wasn't the first time he had got himself stuck but he usually manages to get himself out - he very clearly wasn't so nimble or lucky on this occasion."

He added: "Once the firefighters managed to cut the tyre and free Qabid, the zoo vets gave him a drug to counteract the sedative and bring him round - and he was quickly back to his mischievous self.

"It's not every day that our crews come into contact with such a beautiful animal."

'Loves to play'

Darren McGarry, head of living collections at Edinburgh Zoo, said: "Our greater one-horned rhino Qabid loves to play with his tyre, it's one of his favourite things to do.

"He managed to get his head and a leg stuck while playing and we had to contact the fire service for assistance to use their specialist cutting equipment.

"The tyre was safely removed and Qabid is doing fine. We would like to thank the fire service for their help."

In 2016, firefighters were called to the zoo to help another rhino which had toothache.