Rescuing animals can be both difficult and extremely stressful.
At times, the animal in question may find itself trapped in an uncomfortable location. Frequently, this may involve a tree, while at other times it could be a thorny bush. In the most unfortunate scenarios, young animals may have inadvertently strayed from their mothers and become ensnared in exceedingly confined areas.
In such uncomfortable circumstances, individuals who are diligent, meticulous, and attentive are essential.
This may explain why firefighters frequently excel in rescuing animals that are trapped.
In 2018, fire captain Brian Vaughan received an alarm call and immediately understood the need for urgency.
A group of eight small black puppies was discovered trapped in a drainage well. The individuals who reported the incident suspected that the litter of black Labrador puppies had been left behind in the pipe by their owners.
Twenty minutes following the arrival of the fire brigade, all animals were successfully rescued from the drain. They seemed to be unharmed and were later transported to the Humane Rescue Organisation located in the Pikes Peak Region.
It was only then that people realised they hadn’t saved any dog puppies at all. In actual fact, the black pups had become a bundle of red.
Vaughan informed CBS in Denver that a veterinarian at the location remarked, “These are not Labradors; they are foxes.”
Foxes are quite prevalent in the regions adjacent to the Rocky Mountains, which is precisely where this litter was discovered.
Travis Sauder, the District Manager for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, expressed to CBS4 that he was not taken aback by the decision to contact the firefighters. He also noted that the discovery of the foxes was not unexpected.
Sauder remarked that during this season, numerous animals begin to give birth to their offspring, often in small dens that we may come across while enjoying outdoor activities, which is something we greatly appreciate.
These firefighters in rescued what they thought were puppies from a storm drain… but it turns out they're red foxes!
— CBSColorado (@CBSNewsColorado) March 16, 2018
What to do now?
Reporter @AbeytaCBS4 shares the story: https://t.co/ubpMJjjj8h
(📹: Colorado Springs Fire Department) pic.twitter.com/Mksg0A0IJH
Sauder indicates that the foxes will be returned to the pipe, with the expectation that their mother will come back to care for them.
Sauder stated that the animals will be returned to their original location, with the hope that the mother remains nearby to resume her typical responsibilities. In the event that the mother is no longer present, arrangements can be made to transfer them to a licensed rehabilitation facility.
1. Misinterpretations regarding wildlife occurrences are relatively frequent; therefore, it is advisable to consult an expert for accurate identification of the animal before taking any action independently. Unfortunately, well-meaning efforts can occasionally exacerbate the situation for wild animals in scenarios like this.
Hopefully these fox cubs will be reunited with their mother before too long. Like and SHARE if you love animals of all kinds!