Fox on the edge of death after falling into oil pit is rescued after its eyes spotted in 'tar-like substance' - but can you see them?

Fox on the edge of death after falling into oil pit is rescued after its eyes spotted in 'tar-like substance' - but can you see them? WARNING GRAPHIC CONTENT By SHANNON MCGUIGAN Published: 12:50, 12 April 2025 | Updated: 12:59, 12 April 2025 e-mail View comments A fox was saved from the brink of death after its terrified eyes were spotting in a dark 'tar-like substance', the RSCPA have confirmed. A panicked creature was trapped in a pit filled with heating oil located inside a derelict building, according to the animal welfare charity. The heroic RSPCA worker who rescued the animal's life revealed only the fox's ears, eyes and nose were visible, with its body completely stuck in the muddy tar.

Harrowing images show two scared eyes shining from the sinister dark liquid as well as an outline of the creatures ears. Shocked RSCPA Inspector Helen Smith, who came to the aid of the terrified animal, revealed she had 'never seen anything like it'. The animal welfare worker attached a grasper around the young male fox's neck before pulling him out of the oily pit in Leicester city on March 27.



Although the night time predators do often live in rural areas, urban foes tend to create dens underneath bushes, sheds, tree roots and railway embankments. Footage shows workers cleaning the distraught animal with washing up liquid at the vets after it had been sedated following the ordeal. 'This poor fox was totally stuck in the thick, tar-like substance and couldn't move,' Ms Smith said: 'We have no idea how long he had been there.

A fox was saved from the brink of death after its terrified eyes were spotting in a dark 'tar-like substance', the RSCPA have confirmed Harrowing images show two scared eyes shining from the sinister dark liquid as well as an outline of the creatures ears The terrified animal was later taken to the vets who are positive he will make a full recovery The animal was later cleaned with washing up liquid following the terrifying ordeal in a derelict building in Leicester RSPCA Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre manager Lee Stewart said 'this is the worst oil case I have ever seen' 'It's a miracle he was spotted,' she quipped before describing the scenes at the flooder observation pit, flooded with heating oil, which had leaked from a vandalised storage tank. 'The fox was covered in oil from head to toe and it was so thick that it was a big job to clean it all off,' she said: 'The following day, the fox was still black but a little cleaner.' The animal was transferred to RSPCA Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre in Cheshire for 'further cleaning and rehabilitation' where it remains, she said.

Although the animal was very young to have been through 'such an ordeal already', vets are positive the fox will recover and be released back into the wild, the inspector added. RSPCA Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre manager Lee Stewart said 'this is the worst oil case I have ever seen'. 'The poor fox had to be sedated to be washed by the team, so at each wash we had three staff washing and a vet and vet nurse on standby.

'The vet team will be monitoring over the weekend in the hope the fox can then be released next week.' Share or comment on this article: Fox on the edge of death after falling into oil pit is rescued after its eyes spotted in 'tar-like substance' - but can you see them? e-mail Add comment Comments 0 Share what you think No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards.

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