A rare giant salamander was discovered injured at a sewage treatment plant in Zhengzhou, China.
Reports say that the amphibian measures 70 cm long and weighs in at 4 kg, and probably escaped a farm or restaurant where it was likely being kept for its meat.
It was later turned over to the local wild animal rescue, which began treating it for its injuries.
The director of the Zhengzhou Forestry Wild Animal Rescue Station told Xinhua that although he suspects that the animal had escaped from captivity, there was a chance that it was released on purpose too.
When the salamander was discovered at the Matougang Sewage Plant, it was covered in mud and its tail was injured. Staff at the plant contacted the rescue centre.
Pictures taken at the rescue centre show the amphibian being washed, hand-fed and its wound being dressed.
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Salamanders are critically endangered and are now a protected species in China. Their numbers have declined drastically in recent years due to human consumption. Its meat is viewed as a delicacy.