The RSPCA has revealed the wackiest animal rescues of 2023 – including two in Cornwall.

Hilarious pictures show hapless pets and wild animals trapped in bizarre places such as car wheels, canals and car parks before being saved by baffled rescuers.

The charity has compiled 21 of the oddest rescues of 2023, with the weirdest being an iguana called Einstein who had to be rescued from a tree. The reptile escaped from his home in Horncastle, Lincolnshire, in May this year after he followed his family’s feline through a cat flap.

He had been on the run for over a day when he was spotted 12m (39ft) high in a tree in a nearby neighbour’s garden.

The RSPCA was called to the scene and requested the assistance of the fire crew – but Einstein was sat on a flimsy branch which made it difficult to reach him by ladder. Tree surgeon Todd Wilson was then called and he was able to climb up the tree, pull Einstein towards him, place him in a box and bring him down.

In July, RSPCA inspector Paul Kempson was called to Sawmills Studio in Fowey – where Oasis, Muse, The Stone Roses and Jessie J have recorded music.

He was asked to rescue an injured swan that had a wound to his wind, but as the studio is only accessible by boat, Paul had to make a journey up the river to save him.

A cat called Mowgli also had to be rescued from a 30m (98ft) mine shaft in Callington  after he had fallen to the bottom. After a tricky rescue, Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service made it to the bottom of the mine to help Mowgli back to the surface. 

After a visit to the local vets, the cat was given the all clear, was reunited with his furry sibling and was very happy to see his owner.

Stephen said: “The owner had been missing the cat for four days and was constantly brought to the location by her dog, as it sniffed the cat out.

“This is when the owner heard the calls from Mowgli and alerted us.”

Meanwhile, a two-metre long snake was helped to safety in September after they were found in a car park in Plymouth.

Luckily, the boa constrictor was rescued by volunteer Dawn Lapthorn and was taken to a specialist reptile centre.