Stapeley's orphaned badger cubs

At this time of year many badger cubs are exploring outside their den and learning new tricks. Over the past two months Stapeley has received six orphaned cubs, three were local from Staffordshire and Cheshire, the others from Northumberland, North Wales and the other was networked through RSPCA East Winch.  All were orphaned and many had had their mothers taken from them, victims of road traffic collisions.  When no one returns to feed them the cubs are often found weak and hungry and desperately trying to find food for themselves.  It is therefore imperative that they are brought in and cared for as soon as possible.  Unfortunately, one of the cubs was so weak that he had to be put to sleep.

 

When cubs are admitted it is important to obtain as much information as possible such as the exact location it was found, the more detailed the better. They are then weighed, checked over by a vet, blood samples are taken and any treatments they require administered.

One of the more recent cubs, a little orphaned female, was found next to her dead mother on the side of the road, which must have been very sad to see first hand.  In the wild the mother would wean them on regurgitated worms, I’m dedicated to my job but that is a bit far!  Therefore she was fed (a much nicer) meal of puppy chum and a bowl of puppy milk, three times a day.

Four of the five cubs have now been grouped together following a period of isolation. They are now found in the crèche shed where they are able to socialise.  This is off limits to most staff as we need to keep them wild.  Soon they will be released into a more natural setting, a paddock with an artificial sett and we hope to release them later in the year.  All our badgers are TB tested ensuring we are releasing TB free badgers.

                          

If you find a cub you believe has been orphaned, unless it is at risk or in urgent need of assistance, it is best to monitor the situation over at least 12 hours.  If your are concerned please call your local wildlife rehabilitator or the RSPCAs 24-hour cruelty and advice line: 0300 1234 999.

IMPORTANT: If you have not already done so please join the RSPCAs campaign to put a stop to the cull: http://www.rspca.org.uk/getinvolved/campaigns/wildlife/badgers

Sponsors of Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre and Cattery

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