Some of our members attended a distressing call about a badger cub caught in a snare on top of a badger sett early one morning last month. The member of the public who called in witnessed five additional badgers seen nearby trying to encourage the young cub back into the safety of the sett. On arrival of our members, the cub was seen hanging by the neck by not a snare but an old frayed sack. As the cub was so small, our members were able to cover the little badger and cut away the sack. When they stood back to set the cub free, the cub just sat still, obviously very traumatised and stressed. On closer inspection, there also appeared to be an injury to one of the cub’s paws. Instead of running down into the sett, the cub scurried off and hid behind a tree. Worried by the proximity to the public footpath and the many dogs off the lead, we were concerned for the cub’s welfare. Carefully placed in a snug box, the cub was brought to Oak and Furrows Wildlife Rescue for assessment. Thankfully the cub was OK and after a few days at Oak and Furrows and a clean bill of health, the badger cub was returned to their sett.
If you see a badger in distress, please inform the Badger Trust who will pass it on to the local group. Never attempt to pick up an injured badger without the proper equipment.
Please always put your rubbish in the bin and leave the countryside better than how you found it.
Snares have recently been banned in Wales. Follow this link for more information: Wales confirms ban on snares – National Anti Snaring Campaign
