A CAERNARFON mechanic had a hare-raising surprise when he discovered a wild baby rabbit hiding in the engine of a car.
Nigel Rowlands of Pant Waen garage in Waunfawr was servicing a vehicle on Monday when he found the animal, unscathed despite a 35 mile journey.
The car belonged to retired couple Joan and Dennis Cummins from Pentrefoelas, who had driven to the garage that morning.
Joan, 66, said: “As soon as we arrived the receptionist asked us if we wanted to meet our new rabbit?
“He then disappeared and came back with the mechanic who worked on our car and a big plastic box with a baby rabbit in it.
“The mechanic said he looked in at the engine, saw two eyes staring back at him and nearly died of fright!”
Joan explained that the furry stowaway had likely came from one of the fields near her Pentrefoelas home.
She said: “The funny thing is that on Sunday night our two dogs were chasing rabbits around our house and the bigger of the two was sniffing around our car for quite some time.
“We think the dog must have frightened the rabbit and it got somehow into the engine.”
Nigel, who has worked at the garage for seven years, added: “The rabbit must have gone in past the drive shaft and hid in the sump try where there was just about enough room.
“It’s the second one I’ve found since I’ve been here and it gives you a shock!”
After being discovered safe and sound the rabbit travelled back to Pentrefoelas with the couple.
Joan said: “We took the rabbit back home with us, fed him on lettuce leaves, took a photo and let him go. “I’ve never seen a rabbit run so fast, it just shot off looking for its mum.”