Firefighters in Austria have rescued a tubby hedgehog that became wedged in a gate.

Bizarre on Female First

Bizarre on Female First

The plump woodland animal found itself severely trapped after it tried to wriggle its way through a metal gate, but instead became stuck halfway through.

Officers from the Graz fire brigade used heavy-duty hydraulic claws - which are normally used to help cut people out of cars - to prise apart the thick bars and help the ''frightened'' rodent escape it's peculiar predicament.

Officials said in a statement posted to Facebook: ''With the help of an angle grinder and with particular care, the frightened hedgehog was finally released from its predicament.''

The hedgehog was then safely transferred to a local wildlife organisation and was lucky enough to not sustain any serious injuries.