A veterinary ambulance rushed to the aid of an injured badger found in the bottom of a disused swimming pool this morning.
Rescuers from East Sussex Wildlife Rescue & Ambulance Service were called out just after 8.30am this morning to help the trapped badger. On arrival rescuers Trevor Weeks MBE and Lindsay Redfern climbed down into the empty swimming pool and found the badger trying to sleep in a quite unusual position with its back to the corner of the swimming pool and tucking its head into its belly and covering its head with its legs to hide!
"Some of the badgers we have had in care had sat and groomed themselves in similar positions but I've never seen a badger trying to sleep in this position before" said Trevor.
The position of the badger caused rescuers some problems and the rescue took longer than normal as it proved difficult to get the dog grasper on the badger whilst it head was tucked away. Eventually the badger was caught and placed into a special badger cage where it was then assessed and triaged.
Two swellings were noticed on the badger's neck on either side which looked like possible bite marks from other badgers that had become infected. "We see minor injuries around their necks quite often and normally it is just where they have been play fighting with other badgers within their social group, and not normally much to worry about. On this occasion the wounds were infected and in need of veterinary help" said Trevor.
The badger was loaded onto WRAS's ambulance and transported back to WRAS's Casualty Centre at Whitesmith, near Hailsham, where the badger was bedded down and is now booked in to be seen by one of WRAS's vets.
The badger will stay in WRAS's care until its wounds have healed up and will then be released back in the area where it was found.
All WRAS's rescue work is undertaken by volunteers and funded by donations. Anyone wanting to make a donation towards the care of the casualties dealt by WRAS can call 01825 873003, send a donation to East Sussex WRAS, PO Box 2148, Seaford, East Sussex, BN25 9DE or donate online.
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Press Contacts:
Trevor Weeks MBE or Lindsay Redfern - East Sussex WRAS: 07931 523958 or Trevor's mobile 07931 523958
