Rabbit Rescuer Reunites With Bunny He Saved From Blazing Wildfire

The man who rescued a rabbit from the side of a highway during a Southern California wildfire last week is remaining in contact with the burned bunny.

Caleb Wadman recently reunited with the rabbit, which is receiving treatment for its burns at the California Wildlife Center, according to the TV newsmagazine “Inside Edition.”

The 21-year-old admits he panicked while trying to get the frightened rabbit to safety.

“In the video that everybody sees, I was going crazy because she was screaming,” he told “Inside Edition.”

The rabbit suffered burns to its ears and feet.

Although some criticized the rescue, saying that a wild rabbit surely didn’t need human assistance, Wadman’s risky decision is getting support from Dr. Duane Tom, director of animal care at the California Wildlife Center.

This rabbit needed to get medical attention,” he told “Inside Edition.”

Caleb Wadman holds the rabbit he rescued from a wildfire while Dr. Duane Tom of the California Wildfire Center treats the animal. (Photo: "Inside Edition")
Caleb Wadman holds the rabbit he rescued from a wildfire while Dr. Duane Tom of the California Wildfire Center treats the animal. (Photo: "Inside Edition")

Both Wadman and the rabbit are safe, but the rescue still sends chills down the spine of Wadman’s mom, Shari.

“I started to cry, actually. That was very kind of him, but then I saw how close he was to the fire,” she told “Inside Edition.”

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A natural-color satellite image of the burned Fountaingrove Golf Club in Santa Rosa, a city in Sonoma County.
A natural-color satellite image of the burned Fountaingrove Golf Club in Santa Rosa, a city in Sonoma County.
An infrared satellite image shows the burned-out Coffey Park neighborhood in Santa Rosa.
An infrared satellite image shows the burned-out Coffey Park neighborhood in Santa Rosa.
The red areas in this infrared satellite image represent living vegetation among burned-out homes in Santa Rosa.
The red areas in this infrared satellite image represent living vegetation among burned-out homes in Santa Rosa.
The fire line of the Santa Rosa wildfire can be seen in this infrared satellite image.
The fire line of the Santa Rosa wildfire can be seen in this infrared satellite image.
Fire damage is seen from the air in the Coffey Park neighborhood of Santa Rosa on Oct. 11, 2017.
Fire damage is seen from the air in the Coffey Park neighborhood of Santa Rosa on Oct. 11, 2017.
More than 200 fire engines and firefighting crews from around the country were being rushed to California on Wednesday.
More than 200 fire engines and firefighting crews from around the country were being rushed to California on Wednesday.
Aerial views of the Kmart store destroyed by fire along the 101 freeway in Santa Rosa.
Aerial views of the Kmart store destroyed by fire along the 101 freeway in Santa Rosa.
Fire damage is seen from the air in the Coffey Park neighborhood. 
Fire damage is seen from the air in the Coffey Park neighborhood. 
Surrounding neighborhoods appear untouched by fire outside the Coffey Park neighborhood.
Surrounding neighborhoods appear untouched by fire outside the Coffey Park neighborhood.
An aerial view shows the Journey's End mobile home park in Santa Rosa.
An aerial view shows the Journey's End mobile home park in Santa Rosa.

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.