Police use olive oil to free trapped squirrel

Published on 06/08/2012 17:51

POLICE in northern Germany were forced to turn to an unconventional method when attempting to free a squirrel which had got itself stuck in a manhole cover.

After unsuccessfully trying to push the squirrel’s head back through gently, officers removed the cover and rubbed olive oil around the its neck.

Police spokeswoman Kathrin Feyerabend said a woman on the outskirts of Hannover discovered the red squirrel on Sunday after hearing its cries.

Its head was poking up above ground through a hole in a manhole cover, its body dangling beneath.

Holding back its small tufted ears, they were able to successfully release it after applying the oil.

But the happy ending was short lived - the squirrel died several hours later, likely from stress.