Here at Animals Being Cute, we talk a lot about animal abuse and the effect humans have when they treat four-legged creatures terribly. Even the kindest hearted person, however, might engage in the sin against animals we are talking about today without thinking about it.
Today, we are going to talk about littering and the horrifying effects it has on the animal kingdom. There are steps we can take to make the world safer for all animals. First, let’s start with putting the lid back on jars, even when it is empty and going in the garbage.
You could be saving a precious animal’s life in the process.
FIREFIGHTERS
I want to tell you about some firefighters from the Pasco County Fire Department in Florida. It is not uncommon for them to see animals cavorting out in the open field behind the station. However, it is unusual to see an animal that looks like it’s wearing a helmet, like the little furball that showed up on their doorstep recently.
According to The Dodo, firefighter Joseph Skanks was on duty at Pasco Fire Rescue Station 26 working in a bay when he showed up the first time. Skanks caught a glimpse of a poor young fox with what appeared to be a plastic jar stuck on his head.
Image via Twitter
QUICK LIKE A FOX
Skanks tried to catch the fox, but the terrified boy scurried off into the bushes. Again, the wildlife isn’t new, but the garbage is.
“About five to 10 years ago, the station was really in the middle of nowhere,” Said Corey Dierdorff, public information officer for the fire department. “Over the years, there has been a lot of development, and growth is really booming in the area, so it’s not uncommon to see animals out there all the time. They see eagles every once in a while, and raccoons, foxes, and deer right behind the station and around the neighborhood.”
Image via Owl’s Animal Sanctuary Facebook
Since so many humans are moving into the area, the animal’s habitat is shrinking. Shrinkage isn’t just the case in Florida; it’s happening all over the country. Humans move in, and animals are forced to adapt or they perish.
Unless they get very lucky and find a human to help them out.
MIRACLE
The fox reappeared a second time. Skanks decided to bring in help. He grabbed a few other firefighters from the station, and they attempted to capture the crafty fellow again. However, even with help, things did not go as planned. Quick as lightning, the little fox scurried back into the woods.
Skanks knew as soon as the fox appeared a third time, that it was definitely time to call in professional reinforcements. The firefighters called an organization named Owl’s Nest Sanctuary for Wildlife. He knew that the people there would probably know best how to trap this fox.
And, he was right. Finally, with the help of professionals, they captured the wily little fella.
Image via Twitter
FREE
It didn’t take long for the professionals to remove the empty jar. With a couple of tugs, Miracle, as they later dubbed the lucky fox, was free.
Image via Owl’s Sanctuary for Animals Facebook
Rescuers estimated that the little fox spent a week with his head trapped inside that jar. They aren’t even sure how the little dude managed to breathe while he was stuck in there.
Image via Twitter
For everyone involved, watching Miracle bound back into the wild after he had sufficient rest made the entire deal worthwhile. The firefighters were delighted to save another life, even if it wasn’t a human one.
For now, Miracle is back with his mother. The only sad part about this story is that it should never have happened. Please, think about what you’re doing before you toss things in the garbage. Think about little Miracle and remember to put those lids back on.
Do you have any tips on keeping animals safe by how you throw away garbage? Please tell us about it in the comments.
Feature Images via Twitter
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