This is the moment a crafty fox saves itself after falling down a 20ft well using a ladder lowered by firefighters.

A passerby spotted the trapped fox on September 6 in Limoeiro do Norte, in the state of Ceara, Brazil, after it had fallen at night.

Instead of lowering a firefighter with a harness on a winch, the fire department opted to lower a ladder. To their surprise, the clever animal quickly climbed the ladder to freedom.

As soon as the ladder was in place, the wild fox cautiously made its way to the top rung by rung. It dashed away at top speed as soon as it reached the top, unharmed.

The Military Fire Department of Ceara later urged locals to cover open drains, pipelines, and wells to protect animals and people.

A spokesman said: 'Covering abandoned wells and cisterns is essential to protect wild animals and ensure the safety of the population.'