Rescued fox 'coated in bitumen and stuck to road'
A wildlife hospital says treating a fox cub that got stuck in a container of bitumen and then to a road surface was one of its most horrific cases ever.
South Essex Wildlife Hospital was called out to find the fox covered in black gloop on an industrial estate in north-east London on Thursday.
It said that after hearing screeching, workers were able to locate the noise and free the three-month old cub from the container, but it then got stuck to the road.
The hospital hoped to be able to free the animal this week so that it would have a chance of reuniting with its mother, who was seen trying to rescue her cub.
Bitumen is made from crude oil and is mostly used as a binder in roads and the hospital called it "one of the most horrific cases we've seen in the 35+ years of wildlife rescue".
Lawrie Brailey, operations manager at the hospital, said the team arrived at the site near Lea Bridge and Hackney Marshes at about 19:00 BST.
Workers had looked up what to do online, and started using baby oil to try to free the fox while waiting for the professionals to arrive.
South Essex Wildlife Hospital
South Essex Wildlife Hospital
It then took a rescuer and vet more than 30 minutes to free each limb from the road before the fox could be taken away.
Baby oil and WD-40 was used to soften and dissolve the tar-like substance, however the hospital said its coat was so matted in some places that the fur had to be cut off.
Mr Brailey said: "There is minor staining to the fur... [but] now he looks like a fox, with a couple of patches missing."
However, the cub was being monitored for any toxicity effects.
"He seems to be fine and is now eating, urinating and defecating," said Mr Brailey.
The fox, while mobile, does have some damage to one of his legs and the team said it would work to start fixing it this week.
The clean-up has taken more than 30 bottles of baby oil, and the hospital manager said he was just "glad" to free the stricken animal.
"We see a lot of injury, death… When you go to something like that and look at that animal.. you're then left wondering what you can do, and the problem is there's not much information on what we do; it's a lot of trial and error," he said.
At the incident, Mr Brailey said the cub's mother had tried to "scruff him" and "pick him up off the middle of the car park".
The hospital said it did not know if the cub could be reunited with its mother, which they believed would have to take place within a week or there was a chance of rejection.
If that was not possible, it would spend time with the other cubs they were treating in Essex and then be released when it was ready.
Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
13 minutes ago
- The Independent
Without EHCP, my son would not be here': Mother's plea to Labour against proposed SEND cuts
Cuts to special educational needs support could be 'devastating' for families, a mother has warned, saying her son's education, mental health and life, were saved by specialist help. Renata Watts, who has two children on Education, Health and Care Plan's (EHCP) said the support plan turned around her the life of her eldest son, Elliot, after he was left mentally unwell, isolated and unable to attend school due to a lack of tailored support. EHCPs were introduced in 2014 to replace 'statements' of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). It brings together education, health and social care in one legally binding plan for young people under the age of 25, outlining the extra help they will be given to achieve their potential. However, the government is reportedly considering an overhaul of the system, arguing too many children are being excluded from mainstream education. 'Without that EHCP, I'm not sure he'd still be here today,' Ms Watts told The Independent. 'His mental health dipped so badly I didn't know what would happen.' Elliot, who has autism and ADHD, started secondary school full of enthusiasm. But within months, his anxiety spiralled as specialist support was withdrawn despite clear evidence of his needs. 'The school said they wanted to let him show them what support he needed, so they removed everything, against all professional advice,' Ms Watts said. 'We had no legal power to stop them. He began coming home and just crying, having meltdowns, screaming and throwing things. He didn't even understand why.' He started to say he felt sick every morning and became so distressed that he began hiding under his bed to avoid going in. 'It got to the point where he wouldn't even step onto the school grounds without feeling like he was going to throw up,' Ms Watts said. 'He was getting detention after detention for things that were clearly part of his disability. He couldn't organise himself, which we'd already explained, but they punished him for not turning up to sessions or forgetting books.' Ms Watts had to take the local authority to tribunal, spending over 100 hours preparing the case herself while caring for three children. Once the EHCP was in place, giving her son a legal right to the support he needed, everything changed. 'From zero per cent attendance, he went to 100 per cent. He got three A*s at A-level. He's just completed a master's in computer security. He will go on to be a massive asset to the UK. All of that would've been lost without that legal duty to support him.' Her younger son, Dominic, is in a wheelchair full time and has complex medical needs. She says his EHCP has been vital in helping schools understand how to support him safely. 'His EHCP made sure the school knew exactly what he needed, where to be careful, and how his health impacted his learning. He was in hospital for eight months and the plan meant he could transition seamlessly to the Great Ormond Street Hospital School. It's a legal document you can pick up anywhere and know how to meet a child's needs.' The government has failed to rule out slashing ECHPs, with education minister Stephen Morgan insisting parents should have 'absolutely' no fear that support for children with special needs or disabilities (Send) will be scaled back. However, he could not guarantee that the current system of EHCPs would remain in place. The prime minister's official spokesperson also refused to rule out cuts to EHCP, but suggested children, families and schools would not lose any support. In an open letter to the government, campaigners have said that without the documents in mainstream schools, 'many thousands of children risk being denied vital provision, or losing access to education altogether'. Ms Watts, who is the co-director at Special Needs Jungle, added: 'This isn't about resisting change. If Labour can improve inclusion in mainstream schools, brilliant, bring it on. But don't do it by removing disabled children's rights.'
The Sun
19 minutes ago
- The Sun
The 5 daily habits that slash the risk of UK's biggest killer
RESPONSIBLE for a quarter of all deaths, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is of the UK's biggest killers. It serves as an umbrella term for heart and circulatory diseases - including coronary heart disease, atrial fibrillation, heart failure, stroke and vascular dementia. 1 There are over 7.6 million people living with heart and circulatory diseases in the UK, according to the British Heart Foundation - twice as many as the amount living with cancer and Alzheimer's disease combined. CVD causes more than 170,000 deaths a year - about a quarter of all deaths in the UK. Earlier this year, the BHF warned that deaths from heart related issues had risen for the first time in 50 years. Several conditions can increase your risk of developing CVD, including being overweight or having high blood pressure and cholesterol. Certain habits can contribute too, from smoking and drinking to not being particularly. But just as lifestyle can up your risk of disease, making simple tweaks to it can also boost your odds against CVD and The recipe for a healthy heart is made up of a few different habits, according to the British Heart Foundation's senior cardiac nurse Ruth Goss and the charity 's senior dietitian Dell Stanford. These can include sipping on coffee, paying attention to the timing of your meals - as well as their content - and living by the phrase "movement is medicine", the experts told The Independent. 1. Get moving for 30 minutes Ruth said: 'Whatever your age, being active now will have an immediate impact on your health, reducing your risk of heart and circulatory diseases. "It's never too late to increase your physical activity or start a new sport, regardless of how little you have exercised in the past.' The easy-to-miss signs of deadly heart problems She recommends doing at least 150 minutes of exercise a week - something that will get your heart pumping faster, such as a brisk walk, swimming, cycling, gardening or even cleaning. If that seems like a lot, you can work up to that gradually. "Doing just 30 minutes a day is a good way to reach 150 minutes a week," according to Ruth. Multiple studies have suggested sitting for extended periods, particularly exceeding 10 hours a day, can be especially detrimental to heart health. A sedentary lifestyle significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular issues like heart attacks and strokes by contributing to factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and obesity. Consultant cardiologist Dr Jonathan Behar of King Edward VII's Hospital previously told Sun Health: "Even smaller things like walking up the escalators on my commute can help. "If it gets the blood pumping then it probably helps." A recent study showed consistently opting to take the stairs - instead of the lift or escalators - could reduce your risk of dying from CVD by 39 per cent. 2. Watch what you eat - and when What you eat can make a big difference to your risk of CVD. Dell recommended sticking to a healthy balance of carbohydrates, fruit and vegetables, lean proteins, dairy and unsaturated fats. Choose wholegrain varieties of bread, pasta and cereal, include lean sources of protein - from non-fatty cuts of meat, to fish, eggs and beans - in every meal, and choose low-fat dairy options. 'Fats are also an important part of a healthy diet, but choose foods that are high in unsaturated fats such as olive or rapeseed oil, nuts and seeds, oily fish, olives and avocados," the dietitian said. Indulgence is a part of life, but it's a good idea eat treats in moderation, Dr Behar told Sun Health. "I try not to have too many tempting things around like chocolate spreads, fatty crisps and sugary drinks," he said. "If it's very sugary, salty, or high in saturated fat, it's something to have infrequently and in small amounts." The timing of your meals is just as important as what you have on your plate, Dell went on. 'Studies have shown that even when people eat the same number of calories, the time of day they are eaten affects how they are used in the body," he said. "This difference could affect weight, cholesterol levels and blood sugar levels – all of which can affect your risk of heart and circulatory diseases. "Our body's circadian rhythms – its natural daily cycles – are designed for eating in the day and sleeping at night. If they are disrupted, this could have implications for our heart health." As a result, he advised having your last meal earlier in the day, rather than late at night. 3. Have coffee - but not too much Good news for coffee lovers - moderate amounts of it could boost heart health, according to Dell. 'One observational study found that consuming two or three cups of coffee a day could be good for you and may be linked to lower risk of CVD compared to drinking no coffee,' he said. 'In addition to caffeine, coffee contains polyphenols which may help reduce harmful inflammation and reduce CVD risk. "Research tells us that moderate amounts of caffeine shouldn't be a problem for most people.' Drinking more than four of five cups could dip you into less heart-healthy territory, as too much caffeine can increase blood pressure, heart rate, palpitations and anxiety. Recent research suggests the morning is the best time to enjoy your coffee. Scientists from Tulane University in New Orleans said caffeine in the afternoon or evening might disrupt the body clock and raise blood pressure 4. Stay hydrated It won't come a surprise that staying hydrated is good for your health. But making sure to drink water - as well as teas, coffees, low fat milk and sugar-free squash - can benefit your heart. 'When you are dehydrated, there is less blood travelling around the body,' according to the BHF. 'This can lead to low blood pressure, dizziness and fainting. In response, the heart may start beating faster [tachycardia] to help move blood around the body. "You may experience this as a racing, pounding heartbeat in your chest, called palpitations. Dehydration can also thicken the blood, increasing the risk of blood clots and heart attacks.' But drinking more water can improve circulation, digestion and gut health, according to the charity. It'll also make it easier to exercise, another essential component of good heart health. 5. Sleep on it Getting enough sleep is also important for your heart and circulatory health, Ruth added. She recommended adults aim for seven to nine hours of sleep per night, in line with NHS recommendations. A recent study warned that just three nights of bad sleep can increase the risk of a heart attack or stroke - even for "perfectly healthy" people. heart problems, according to the findings. Another study also warned that irregular sleep patterns can up the risk of heart attack - even in people managing to snooze eight hours a night. How to reduce your risk of heart attacks and stroke You can reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke with many of the same methods. Heart attacks and strokes, although affecting different organs of the body, are both what we call cardiovascular events. Both arise from similar underlying conditions, such as atherosclerosis —a buildup of fatty deposits in the arteries. According to the American Heart Association, the risk factors for heart attacks and strokes are largely the same: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity, physical inactivity and diabetes. Therefore, addressing these risk factors can simultaneously reduce the risk of both conditions. Here are ways you can prevent the two: Healthy diet More fruit and veg: The DASH, which emphasises fruit, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins, has been shown to reduce blood pressure and improve heart health. Less fats: Too much saturated and trans fats can raise cholesterol levels and increase the risk of atherosclerosis. Go for healthier fats like those found in olive oil, nuts, and avocados. Limit salt: High salt intake is linked to high blood pressure, a major risk factor for both heart attack and stroke. The NHS recommends no more than 6g of salt per day for adults. Fibre: Foods high in soluble fibre, such as oats and beans, can help lower cholesterol levels. Exercise Walking, running, cycling, swimming - whatever you like, do it! Aerobic exercise can strengthen the heart and improve circulation. The NHS advises at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity each week. Strength training exercises can help control weight, improve cholesterol levels, and reduce blood pressure. It is recommended twice a week by the NHS. Manage blood pressure Healthy diet and exercise can help keep your blood pressure in check. But it is worth monitoring it yourself after the age of 40, at least, when the NHS invites adults for a check-up every five years. High blood pressure often has no symptoms but significantly increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. Quit smoking One of the best ways to quit smoking is to use resources provided by NHS Smokefree. Support groups, medications, and other tools to help quit smoking such as vapes could be what you need to kick the habit for good - and it's free. Limit booze Excessive alcohol consumption can increase blood pressure and contribute to weight gain, which can snowball and become a heart health risk. The NHS recommends not regularly drinking more than 14 units of alcohol per week.
Daily Mail
21 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Doctors warn millions of people will be diagnosed with stomach cancer because of common infection
A common bacteria responsible for almost half of stomach cancer cases in the UK could kill millions in the coming years, top scientists have warned. Called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), infection with the bug is now estimated to cause 76 per cent of stomach cancers worldwide. Experts warn that many people infected with the bacteria—which infests the lining of the stomach and causes damage to tissue that can lead to cancer—show no obvious symptoms beyond relatively common ailments like indigestion, bloating or nausea. The team is now calling for increased screening for the bacteria, which can be detected in blood and breath test or via a stool sample in a bid save lives. Scientists from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)—part of the World Health Organisation —warned if nothing was done nearly 12million people across the globe born between 2008 and 2017 will develop stomach cancer due to H. pylori. This, they said, represented just over three quarters of all cases of the cancer. H. pylori is thought to be spread from person to person via contaminated food and water as well caring for those who become ill. Studies have previously found 40 per cent of Britons are infected with H. pylori, but this is thought to be on the decrease. The vast majority of these patients—between eight-to-nine out of 10—will show no symptoms meaning they have no idea they are infected. H. pylori can rarely cause the development of painful stomach ulcers which is usually when most patients learn they are infected. While the IARC scientists said the majority of the predicted 12million stomach cancer cases linked to the bug will be in Asia, 2million will develop in the Americas and 1.2million in Europe. Data from British charity Cancer Research UK (CRUK) suggests 41 per cent of the UK's 6,500 annual stomach cancer cases are caused by H. pylori, about 2,700 cases a year. Studies suggest being infected with the bacteria increases the risk of developing stomach cancer six-fold, although appropriate treatment like antibiotics, dramatically reduces this. Writing in the journal Nature Medicine, the IARC scientists called for greater investment in population testing for H. pylori to find those silently infected with the bacteria and offer them treatment. In the study itself, the team examined current rates of stomach cancer in 185 countries in 2022 and used that to project the number of cases in the coming years. They also found 75 per cent of stomach cancer cases could be prevented globally by the introduction of screening programmes. Dr Jin Young Park, an author of the study and leader of the gastric cancer prevention team at IARC, said: 'It is essential that health authorities make gastric cancer prevention a priority and accelerate efforts to control it by planning pilot and feasibility projects, including H. pylori screen-and-treat programmes.' But CRUK said Britons should not be too concerned about potential infection with H. pylori as it was not a particularly common bug in the UK. Instead, the charity's health information manager Dr Rachel Orritt said the public needed to beware of more preventable lifestyle factors that increase stomach cancer risk. 'Although this is an important issue worldwide, in the UK other preventable factors cause more cancer cases,' she said. 'Ways to reduce your cancer risk include stopping smoking, keeping a healthy weight, cutting down on alcohol and eating a healthy, balanced diet.' The charity estimates that just over half (54 per cent) of all stomach cancers are preventable. CRUK also noted that stomach cancer cases in the population have fallen by more than quarter over the last decade and are projected to fall further. The main symptoms of stomach cancer include heartburn or acid reflux, having problems swallowing, feeling or being sick, indigestion and burping and feeling full very quickly when eating. These symptoms are common and usually caused by other conditions but patients who have had them for over three weeks should contact their GP for advice, Other symptoms include loss of appetite or losing weight without trying, stomach pain, a lump feeling at the top of the stomach and feeling very tired. About 18 Britons and 83 Americans are diagnosed with stomach cancer each day. The disease kills just over 4,200 patients in the UK each year, with the death toll rising to nearly 11,000 in the US. Only about one in six patients with stomach cancer (17 per cent) are expected to still be alive 10 years after their diagnosis. About one in 92 men and one in 170 women in the UK are estimated to develop stomach cancer in their lifetime.
