Firefighters have described "one of the strangest" rescue missions of their careers - helping a rhino at Edinburgh Zoo with a toothache.

Newcraighall fire station's crew were needed to move two-ton Bertus to a safe place in which vets could operate.

The eight-year-old animal was first sedated and then winched to safety in a challenging and complicated process.

Station manager Willie Pollard said: "By jointly working with zoo staff, we were able to formulate a plan which involved winching and pulling equipment, using techniques normally used for either road traffic collisions involving heavy vehicles or in the event of a building collapse.

"These techniques allowed us to reposition the animal, thereby creating a safe working space for the dental team to repair the tooth."


Simon Girling, head vet at the zoo, said: "We are incredibly grateful for the help of the fire and rescue crew.

"Bertus's operation was a great success and even though it was a minor tooth operation, it involved a massive team of people all working together to ensure the operation went smoothly."

Bertus is now reported to have made a full recovery from the procedure carried out earlier this month and is eating comfortably.