Firefighters in Austria have rescued a tubby hedgehog that became wedged in a gate.
The plump woodland animal found itself severely trapped after it tried to wriggle its way through a metal gate, but instead became stuck halfway through.
Officers from the Graz Fire Brigade used heavy-duty hydraulic claws – which are normally used to help cut people out of cars – to prise apart the thick bars and help the “frightened” rodent escape its peculiar predicament.
Officials said in a statement posted to Facebook: “With the help of an angle grinder and with particular care, the frightened hedgehog was finally released from its predicament.”
The hedgehog was then safely transferred to a local wildlife organization and was lucky enough to not sustain any serious injuries.
According to The Standard, Firefighters across Europe are periodically called to the aid of animals in distress. Back in February, a fat rat stuck in a manhole cover prompted a major rescue operation in Germany as firefighters were called in to free it. A team of at least nine people attended to free the rotund rodent from its situation in the town of Bensheim.
