A fox trapped in a steel snare used illegally to capture wild animals was rescued thanks to the intervention of the Carabinieri Forestry Police. The incident occurred yesterday, March 10, in Via Monticello, in the municipality of Riardo, in the Caserta province.
The alarm was raised by a telephone call to the Pietramelara Carabinieri Forestry Unit from the ENPA (National Animal Protection Agency) zoophilic guards, who had spotted the animal trapped in a noose with a sliding knot made of steel rope.
The fox sedated and released
Upon arriving on site, the Carabinieri confirmed the fox was still alive but immobilized by the metal device. To safely recover the animal, they had to request the intervention of veterinary staff from the Caserta Local Health Authority.
Veterinarians sedated the animal with an anesthetic and then freed it from the snare that held it. After an initial health check on site, which confirmed that the fox's condition was not of particular concern, the animal was released back into its natural habitat.
Illegal trap seized
During the operation, the Forestry Carabinieri seized the steel snare, approximately three and a half meters long and fitted with a slipknot. This device is prohibited under wildlife protection legislation, which prohibits the use of snares and similar traps to capture animals.
At this time, no useful information has emerged to identify who placed the trap in the Riardo countryside. The competent judicial authorities have been notified of the incident, while the Carabinieri Forestry Corps are continuing their investigation to identify those responsible.
I read the article about the rescue of the fox that was trapped in a steel noose and I think it's right that she was freed. The forestry police and the vets have intervened on the post but it's not clear how that noose was put in and whoever put it in will be difficult to find.