A community in Monterey County came together to save a brown fox after it became trapped in a black plastic pipe — and the determined neighbors didn’t give up despite the clever animal’s attempts to escape.
“We don’t know how this little fox got himself stuck, but we are so thankful to caring neighbors who worked so diligently to trap him and bring him to us,” said Beth Brookhouser, a spokesperson for SPCA Monterey County. “They are heroes.”
The fox was first spotted weeks ago in the Corral de Tierra neighborhood by resident Claire Pendleton. She noticed the corrugated pipe around the animal’s neck on her home security camera while she was away, according to SFGATE.
Disturbed by the sight, Pendleton reached out on Facebook for help. Neighbors rallied and set traps, but the fox evaded capture. When Pendleton returned home, she joined the effort. Over the course of a week, she trapped five other foxes but never the right one — until her husband finally lured the fox using bread drizzled with maple syrup. Early Sunday morning, the community succeeded.
The fox was brought to SPCA Monterey County on Monday. Skilled wildlife rescuers sedated the young male and carefully removed the pipe. He had suffered multiple deep wounds around his neck from the pipe but is now resting comfortably and will be released back into the wild once fully healed.
“We are incredibly thankful to Claire and all the neighbors who were so compassionate and caring to this fox,” Brookhouser said.