The curious Lincolnshire case of a trapped otter and a sleepy fox

A team of wildlife rescuers had an interesting evening when they attended callouts to two unusual cases within a matter of hours.

Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue was called to Wragby, Lincolnshire, to help a baby otter trapped in a car engine.

The team also went to the aid of a family from Grimsby who found a fox fast asleep in their living room.

Aaron Goss, lead rescuer at the group, described Thursday evening as “the strangest start to the weekend we’ve ever had”.

He added: “We don’t get many super unique cases like this, let alone two in the same day. But when it rains it pours, and we’re prepared for most things.

“Hopefully our volunteers had a very exciting day!”

Mr Goss said it took a lot of work to get the otter – who was too young to be separated from his mother – out of the engine.

The team used a large deer net to help trap him.

He has been named Oakley and been transferred to the RSPCA East Winch Wildlife Centre, near King’s Lynn, Norfolk, for rehabilitation.

Mr Goss said finding an otter in an engine was not something they had come across before, with squirrels the animals most likely to be found under the bonnet.

Mr Goss said the rescue of the fox, Duke, was also “an odd case”, as he had not been fed by the family but had been asleep in their home “for a few hours”.

The family were alerted to his presence only when they heard the sound of breathing from behind a cabinet in the corner of the room.

After he was safely trapped, Duke was taken to the wildlife sanctuary to be treated for mange.

“Fortunately, it looks like it was just a mistake by the fox,” said Mr Goss.

“He is very well orientated and is enjoying an all-you-can-eat buffet, and will be released soon.”

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