Two goats rescued after six hours trapped in a manhole
The goats were hungry, dehydrated and exhausted after being rescued. No one knows how they got trapped, and no owner has come forward to claim them.
The Tshwane SPCA recently rescued two goats trapped deep inside a manhole after a gruelling six-hour operation in Nellmapius, Mamelodi.
No one knew how the animals ended up there, but their desperate cries echoed through the area until a concerned member of the public heard them and contacted the SPCA.
When inspectors arrived, they were met with a heartbreaking sight.
Tshwane SPCA General Manager Tebogo Maswanganye said the goats were exhausted, dehydrated, hungry, and visibly weak.
“They were frantically running up and down inside the manhole, with no way out,” said Maswanganye.
Maswanganye said the rescue was far from easy as inspectors had to crawl into a confined, suffocating space littered with bottles and debris, making it difficult to manoeuvre.
Opening the heavy concrete slabs covering the manhole added another challenge. With the help of a TLB machine, they eventually gained access.
For nearly six hours, inspectors worked tirelessly, even climbing inside the manhole themselves despite the risks of injury, unstable surfaces, or becoming trapped.
Their determination finally paid off when both goats were lifted to safety without injury.
Once rescued, the goats were immediately assessed by the SPCA team.
“They were clinically healthy besides being hungry, dehydrated, and exhausted. They were fed, given water, and have since made a full recovery.”
He said the owner of the goats remains unknown.
Caption: Goats trapped in a tunnel. Photo: supplied
Description: Two goats were safely rescued by the SPCA from a narrow, muddy tunnel where they had become stuck.
The SPCA has made it clear that if no one comes forward, the animals will be put up for adoption after a set period.
“Our inspectors are well-trained and provided with the rightful resources for rescues, but every call comes with unpredictable challenges,” he said.
Maswanganye added that rescues like this are only possible thanks to community members who take action when they see animals in distress.
“The public is encouraged to never leave any animal to suffer and to contact the nearest SPCA to assist. It is also a responsibility of every owner to look after their animals properly so that animal welfare becomes a daily practice for everyone.”
ALSO READ: Tshwane warns building owners: Comply or face legal action
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to bennittb@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok.
