A six-year-old terrier has been safely rescued after spending two days trapped underground in a badger warren in Nottinghamshire.
The dog, named Cello, disappeared during a countryside walk after being allowed off his lead.
What began as a normal outing quickly turned into a major rescue operation.
Cello Disappeared Into the Tunnels
Cello is a Parson Russell terrier with a naturally curious personality.
During the walk, he became interested in a network of underground tunnels.
He ventured inside and failed to return.
Another dog that had been walking with him eventually came back and helped lead Cello’s owner toward the area where he had disappeared.
Volunteers Joined the Search
Local dog-rescue volunteers and firefighters were called to help.
But rescuing Cello was not as simple as immediately digging into the ground.
The tunnels were part of a badger warren.
Badgers and their homes are legally protected in the UK, meaning permission may be required before a warren can be disturbed.
Rescuers Faced a Difficult Situation
There was also concern that badgers might still be using the tunnels.
A frightened badger could potentially pose a danger to both Cello and rescuers.
With the dog trapped underground, the team had to act carefully while following the rules designed to protect wildlife.
A Camera Helped Find Cello
Once permission was secured, the rescuers were able to begin the operation.
A camera was used to locate Cello inside the tunnel system.
The team then carefully dug down into the ground to reach him.
After two days underground, Cello was finally lifted to safety.
Tired but Safe
The terrier was understandably stressed after his ordeal.
His eyes were also sore after spending so much time surrounded by dirt and darkness.
But once he was back above ground, his condition quickly began to improve.
He ate, drank and then settled down for a much-needed rest.
Back to His Normal Self
After sleeping for much of the following day, Cello was soon behaving like his usual friendly self again.
Despite the frightening experience, he appears to have made a good recovery.
He is still enjoying countryside walks.
His family will just be hoping his next adventure stays firmly above ground.