Helen BurchellBBC News, Essex

South Essex Wildlife Hospital An orange fox cub laying on the road with a pink towel underneath its head to support it. The animal's legs are covered in a black sticky tar like substance. South Essex Wildlife Hospital

The hospital said the fox had been stuck on the road at the industrial estate and it took 30 minutes to free each limb

A fox cub that got covered in bitumen and then stuck to a road surface has been released back into the wild after three and a half months of treatment.

Staff from South Essex Wildlife Hospital came to the rescue after the cub was pulled from a container of bitumen by workers on an industrial estate in north-east London in May.

It took more than 30 minutes to free each of the cub’s legs after it was stuck fast to the road, and one leg required extensive surgery.

Releasing the fully recovered fox safely this week, staff wrote on Facebook: “It’s honestly impossible to put into words how much his progress has meant to our team.”

South Essex Wildlife Hospital A fox is poised to leap from a green cage after the lid was opened. It is standing on its hind legs with its front legs held up clos to its chest. There is green grass in the backgroundSouth Essex Wildlife Hospital

The fox was finally took its leap to freedom after months of care

Bitumen is made from crude oil and is mostly used as a binder in roads.

At the time of the rescue, the hospital said the fox’s plight was “one of the most horrific cases we’ve seen in the 35-plus years of wildlife rescue”.

It took several days and many bottles of baby oil and WD-40 to clean the tar-like substance from its fur.

South Essex Wildlife Hospital Three images of a fox are edited together. The cub is covered in sticky black tar and a vet is holding the animal carefully in a gloved handSouth Essex Wildlife Hospital

Staff edited together a number of images of the cub seen here shortly after it arrived

Delighted staff wrote after his release: “Three months and 17 days. That’s how long it took for this young fox to be given a second chance back in the wild.

“When we first saw this boy, he was stuck to the road and covered in bitumen. It’s taken countless washes and a very complex surgery to get him back on his feet, but his final leap to freedom makes every single second worth it.”

They described his recovery as “amazing” and thanked the many people who had shared his story and donated to the charity.

“Tar fox is finally free,” they added.

“The end of an era… good luck little fox – keep out of trouble.”

South Essex Wildlife Hospital A fox cub is looking at the camera. He has very large ears and amber-coloured eyes. His ginger and white fur is matted in places. He is standing in some sort of pen and there is newspaper and a towel on the floorSouth Essex Wildlife Hospital

The fox cub had been cared for at the hospital for months