Firefighters usually rescue people from burning buildings, but their rescue services don't end there.  They are also often called to help rescue stranded or injured wildlife with their aerial ladders.  One thing many people don't realised about ladder trucks is that the ladders are designed to go down as well as up, so they can be used to rescue people or animals from holes, as well as across bodies of water or other gaps. 

Firefighters in Bath, Somerset, used their ladder truck to rescue a baby seagull which had become trapped in netting on top of a building.  The netting is designed to stop birds nesting on top of the town centre buildings and causing a nuisance, but it seems this little chick hadn't got the message when it became entangled.  Firefighters worked with RSPCA officers to reach and then rescue the bird, which was then taken to be checked over before being released. 

Seagulls in Weston-Super-Mare were the antagonists in this next ladder rescue, which saw the fire service called out to rescue a parrot that was in a tree and unable to leave because of seagulls circling and terrorising the frightened bird.  The parrot, named Charlie, was an escaped pet and very grateful for his rescue; we bet it will be a long while before he tries another escape after his terrifying experience. 

A kitten in Georgia, America, was rescued from a storm drain by a concerned passer-by who attempted to entice the kitten out.  Unfortunately the poor little cat couldn't get out by himself, so the man quickly knocked up a little wooden ladder the perfect size for the kitten.  This attracted the attention of the police, who had received reports of a ladder sticking out of a drain cover, but by the time they attended, the kitten was on his way out lured by the promise of food.  The kitten has since been adopted after efforts to trace an owner failed.

In America, bear cubs often get trapped in bins and on construction sites when they leave their territory in search of food.  This type of rescue is a little more dangerous than rescuing a bird or a kitten, so wildlife rangers are often called to attend.  In most cases a ladder placed into the bin or pit is enough for the cubs to climb out – bears are great climbers and very used to heights, so they're not fazed by a ladder.  In every case we hear about, the bears quickly escape back into the forest where they can't get stuck in a bin!

Lastly, we look at yet another good use for a ladder. The Sunflower Farm Creamery in Maine is home to many goats, and these babies are just as curious as the adult goats, which are renowned for the inquisitive nature and their ability to eat just about anything.  Farm owner Hope Hall found some odd bits of wood in her garage and decided to make a plaything for her kids (goats, that is!) and they absolutely loved it, jumping, slipping and sliding around with their friends.  Who knew a few bits of wood could provide so many hours of fun?