A young fox cub who became trapped in sticky bitumen and glued to a road surface has finally been released back into the wild after more than three months of intensive treatment.
The cub’s ordeal began in May, when workers on an industrial estate in north-east London discovered him stuck fast to the road after falling into a container of bitumen. South Essex Wildlife Hospital rushed to the scene to help, calling it one of the most shocking rescues they had ever faced in over 35 years of wildlife work.
A Grueling Rescue
It took rescuers over 30 minutes to free each of the fox’s legs, which were cemented to the ground. One limb was so badly injured that it required complex surgery. The cub’s fur and skin were also coated in the thick tar-like substance, which proved incredibly difficult to remove.
Staff later revealed that it took several days, many washes, and countless bottles of baby oil and WD-40 before the last traces of bitumen were gone.
“This was one of the most horrific cases we’ve ever seen,” the hospital said at the time.
A Remarkable Recovery
After three months and 17 days of care, the fox made a full recovery. In a heartfelt post on Facebook, staff celebrated the animal’s release:
“When we first saw this boy, he was stuck to the road and covered in bitumen. It’s taken countless washes and a very complex surgery to get him back on his feet, but his final leap to freedom makes every single second worth it.”
They described his recovery as “amazing” and thanked the public for their support, donations, and for sharing the cub’s story worldwide.
Back Where He Belongs
The fox was safely returned to the wild this week, marking the end of his incredible journey from near death to freedom.
“Tar fox is finally free,” staff wrote. “The end of an era… good luck little fox — keep out of trouble.”