Doing our best for Badgers

During my role as a Wildlife Assistant I see a lot of really sad cases. I felt particularly sorry for a badger that had fallen into a nasty, thick, tar like substance; very smelly. Once the badger had been sedated by our vet we tried desperately to remove the tar, with butter and washing up liquid, which usually does the job.  However, despite our best efforts the substance would not budge and we were no further along with getting him cleaned up, the tar substance was just not budging.  The decision was eventually made by the team to put him to sleep, there was nothing we can do for him which was really sad. Where the badger had fallen in was now at least secure, so as to prevent any further casualties.

However it is not all doom and gloom at Stapeley, and it is fantastic to be able to see so many animals returned to the wild. We admit many badgers that have been hit by vehicles, as they innocently roam around their territories, unaware of the human dangers that await them. One such badger was brought to us with concussion, poor sight in his right eye and blood from its mouth.  Although initially collapsed on arrival the badger soon perked up when in admissions so he was quickly given pain relief and antibiotics and left to recover.  The next day a general anesthetic allowed a closer examination, his teeth were in good condition and there were no fractures - just some bruising- it always amazes me how tough they are!

Once feeding well and signed off by the vet an RSPCA Animal Collection Officer was organised, their exciting role was to release our badger back to the wild.  Badgers are always released in the evening when it is dark, which is an ideal time for badgers.  He was hiding in his box when the officer arrived to pick him up..a quick push with a broom though and he was soon in his transport cage - usually the easiest and least stressful method for everyone involved.  He was then loaded onto the back of the van to be released back to where he came from so that he would be familiar with the area and other badgers, seeing him drive off makes all our efforts worthwhile!   

I was really looking forward to a final picture of him being released but apparently he was too quick for our officer, a good sign though that he was ready for a release home.

BACK OFF OUR BADGERS - With the badger cull due to begin in under 3 months, it’s now or never for our wild badgers. We want to deliver 250,000 voices against the badger cull via the Number 10 petition to ensure that the Government can’t ignore us any longer, so please sign up today and help save the lives of 1000's of badgers:  http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/38257.

Sponsors of Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre and Cattery

To donate to Stapeley text and our orphans: STAP70 £2 or £5 to 70070