WHILE scores of dead animals have been discovered in the aftermath of Wareham Forest, there are some positive moments for fire crews.

Firefighters remain on the scene in and around Sugar Hill following the blaze, which first broke out on Monday, May 18.

Forestry England and conservation groups continue to work to rescue as much wildlife as they can from the heath and woodland areas.

A post on Facebook by Wareham Fire Station said it had been a sad and happy day on Monday.

The emergency service page added: "We wanted to share the photographs with you so that people can understand what this fire has done to our beautiful forest.

"But there is good news as a baby adder and one of the rarest reptiles in the UK, a smooth snake, have been found alive today and were released back to the safe natural unburnt habitat."

Wareham Fire Station and Forestry England said their findings on Facebook on May 26, stating "we wanted to share the photographs with you so that people can understand what this fire has done to our beautiful forest."

Despite the deaths of many wild animals, a baby Adder and a smooth snake (one of the rarest reptiles in the UK) were found alive and later released to a safe, natural and undamaged habitat.