A porcupine got itself into quite a pickle when it found itself trapped in an open drain culvert while rummaging for a tasty snack.
Luckily for the porcupine, Cape of Good Hope SPCA inspectors came to the rescue.
Inspector Carina Bodenstein responded to a call for help with a porcupine that fell into an open drain culvert in Peak Road, Fish Hoek, on Sunday 19 December.
According to a statement by the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, Bodenstein assessed the situation and surmised that the porcupine had likely been “out rooting for a tasty bulbous snack” when the ground fell away.
“Porcupines have poor climbing skills so the chances of him climbing his way out of his smooth-walled concrete cell were slim to none. In the heat of the day without water, he would not have lasted long.”
Using a strong wide-mesh net Bodenstein carefully coaxed him inside the net.
Once safely inside the net and taking care not to get his quills in a bunch, she raised him out of his dangerous den and carefully released him back into his home range.
As soon as the rescue was complete, the culvert cover was securely replaced to ensure fellow inspectors at the Cape of Good Hope Wildlife Unit would not be called back to the same culvert in future.
“We consider ourselves very lucky to be able to share our urban environment with such a diverse range of wildlife in the Western Cape and we can all do our bit to help make sure our wildlife species thrive among us.”
Members of the public can report open drains or uncovered culverts to municipal offices, security providers or the SPCA. To report any wild animals in distress call 021 700 4158/9.
