A male fox cub who spent nearly two days with a plastic bottle trapped around his neck has been rescued by the Scottish SPCA after enduring injuries that could have proved fatal.
An Animal Rescue team from the Scottish SPCA attended the incident in Glasgow on 27 June after a member of the public reported their concern to the charity’s Animal Helpline.
A Rescue Officer had already been out to it the day before and by that point, it’s understood that the fox had had his head trapped for at least a day. When they tried to catch him, he ran into his den. They were called out again the next day.
After an extended search and several unsuccessful attempts to catch the cub, rescuers feared they had lost him when he disappeared. Moments later, he emerged from the undergrowth with the bottle still trapped around his head.
His injuries could have become life-threatening
He was initially taken to the University of Glasgow’s Small Animal Hospital, where they cleaned the wound and gave the fox pain relief. He was kept in overnight and transported to the Scottish SPCA’s National Wildlife Rescue Centre at Fishcross the following day.
He has been under close observation and has been receiving daily treatment for his wound.
The Animal Rescue Officer said: “This fox was incredibly fortunate. Had we not managed to catch him, the injuries caused by the bottle could have become life-threatening.
“Sadly, this isn’t an isolated incident. Every year, we see wild animals injured, trapped or killed by discarded litter. Something as simple as taking your rubbish home or disposing of it properly can prevent animals suffering in this way.”
Last month, the Scottish SPCA warned that litter continues to have devastating consequences for Scotland’s wildlife.
Dispose of litter responsibly to help prevent avoidable suffering for wild animals
Between 2023 and 2025, the charity responded to almost 109,000 wildlife incidents, many involving animals injured or put at risk by human activity.
“The charity is urging people to dispose of litter responsibly to help prevent avoidable suffering for wild animals.”
You can donate today and help to give Scotland’s wildlife a fighting chance.
