A young fox had a lucky escape after an unexpected journey inside the engine compartment of an Amazon delivery van, leading to a dramatic rescue by the RSPCA.
Unusual Dashboard Warning Leads to Discovery
The startling incident unfolded on Wednesday, November 12th, during a driver's regular delivery rounds. The driver was alerted not by a sound, but by a warning light flashing on the dashboard. This was triggered when the distressed female fox, trapped in the engine, chewed through an electrical cable.
Pulling over to investigate, the stunned driver opened the bonnet to find the animal wedged within the hot engine bay. Realising the seriousness of the situation, he immediately contacted the RSPCA for assistance.
Careful Extraction and Veterinary Treatment
RSPCA Inspector Herchy Boal was dispatched to the Amazon depot in Derby. Using a specialised grasper, Inspector Boal carefully manoeuvred the fox into a secure position before successfully extracting her from the cramped and heated space.
The fox was then transported to a vet for a thorough examination. Fortunately, her injuries were minor, consisting of a lesion on her tail, a slight burn on her hind leg, and some pressure wounds and bruising from being confined.
She received a course of antibiotics to prevent infection, as well as treatment for fleas and mange, a common skin condition in foxes.
Road to Recovery and Release
Inspector Herchy Boal collected the fox the following day and transferred her to the Leicestershire Wildlife Hospital. There, she will continue her treatment for mange until she is fully fit and healthy.
Once she has recuperated, the plan is for her to be returned to the wild where she belongs. Reflecting on the rescue, Inspector Boal said, "Being trapped in a hot engine could have ended very differently for this young fox - but thankfully her injuries were minor and she's expected to make a full recovery."
"We have no idea how long she'd been in the engine for - potentially, she could have had a long and scary journey trapped in there - so it was a relief to get to her in time," Boal added, emphasising the fortunate outcome for the resilient animal.
