Adorable fox cub on the mend after being found inside skip covered in petrol and mud

An adorable fox cub covered in petrol that was found clinging to life inside a skip is on the mend after being cared for by wildlife experts.

Workmen found the cub standing on a piece of wood to keep her head above deep water in a skip in Cambuslang, South Lanarkshire on April 16.

They called the Scottish SPCA who are caring for the six-week-old animal at their National Wildlife Rescue Centre in Clackmannanshire, where staff have named her Diesel.

Centre workers hope to release the cub back into the wild later this year, once she is strong enough to fend for herself.

Centre manager Colin Seddon said: ‘Diesel was discovered by workmen in a skip where she was deep in water but had managed to keep her head above water by standing on a piece of wood. With no sign of her mother, they gave our animal helpline a call.

‘We had to wash Diesel immediately to prevent the petrol damaging her eyes and being ingested.

‘She handled the wash well and has been feeding, so we’ll be mixing her in with other cubs of a similar size and age to be released back into the wild as a group later in the year.’

However the Scottish SPCA advised people living in more rural locations to leave cubs alone and check on them after a couple of hours as their mother may return for them.

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Mr Seddon said: ‘Vixens will often move their cubs from one earth to another and if they are disturbed they’ll leave the cubs and come back for them later.

‘Often, vixens will not live in the same earth as her cubs and will only return at night to feed them.

‘Diesel was very lucky to have been spotted by these vigilant workmen and we are so grateful they called us.’

Anyone who thinks a cub is injured, ill or has been orphaned is advised to call the Scottish SPCA animal helpline on 03000 999 999.