Some might say he’s hopping mad, but that did not stop a brave California motorist from pulling over to rescue a rabbit from a monster wildfire.
A news photographer for KABC who happened to be in Ventura County on Wednesday, covering the Thomas Fire, captured the moment the unnamed driver risked his life to save the furry critter from the flames.
The man stops his car along Highway 1 after spotting the rabbit and tries to grab it, but the animal hops away, inching closer towards the raging inferno that has engulfed the entire landscape around them.
In harm’s way: This brave California motorist pulled over in Ventura County to rescue a rabbit from a monster wildfire on Wednesday
Animal lover: The man in shorts and a hoodie stopped his car along Highway 1 after spotting the rabbit and tried to grab it
Hopping with fear: The seemingly anxious rescuer jumped up and down after the rabbit got away from him, inching closer to the flames
In the short video documenting the man’s act of courage and compassion, the motorist – a young man wearing in a red hooded sweatshirt and a pair of athletic shorts – appears increasingly anxious for the rabbit’s safety.
He jumps up and down a couple of time, as if mimicking the critter’s own motions, and desperately tries to capture it.
A few tense seconds later, the seemingly doomed rabbit turns tail on the savage fire and finally approaches its brave rescuer.
The man then gently scoops up the furry animal, cradles it in his arms and tries to make it feel comfortable.
KABC reported that the valiant animal lover declined to be interviewed at the scene. It’s unclear where he ended up taking the tiny wildfire survivor.
Social media users who viewed and shared the video of the rabbit’s improbable rescue hailed the anonymous man a hero for putting himself in harm’s way to save an animal’s life.
Waiting with open arms: The man desperately tried to lure the woodland creature amid the raging Thomas Fire
Success: A few tense seconds later, the seemingly doomed rabbit approached its rescuer
Compassion: The man gently scooped up the furry animal, cradled it in his arms and tried to make it feel comfortable
Anonymous hero: The valiant animal lover declined to be interviewed at the scene
The Thomas Fire, the largest of the area’s wildfires, ignited on Monday and so far has charred more than 95,000 acres and destroyed more than 150 homes.
After causing some 50,000 residents of Ventura County to flee their homes over the past three days, the inferno continued its westward push on Thursday, forcing a few hundred Santa Barbara County residents to be evacuated and the closing of coastal Highway 101 north of Ventura city.
According to latest reports, the Thomas fire is only 5 per cent contained.
Firefighters work to extinguish the Thomas Fire as it burns past the 101 Highway towards the Pacific Coast Highway in Ventura, California, December 7