Finding a Badger cub

Badger cubs are born underground between January and April, with the peak birthing month being February. They are born weighing around 100gms with their eyes closed and a thin covering of greyish white fur, and are guarded fiercely by their mother. By the time they are 5 weeks old their eyes have opened and, by early May, they are beginning to emerge above ground to play around the entrance of the sett.

If the badger cub you have found has its eyes still closed, or is visibly injured, it will need to be rescued immediately. However, if you find a healthy looking fluffy cub with its eyes open above ground during the day, PLEASE DON'T TOUCH it, unless it's in a dangerous position. Immediately contact a wildlife rescue or your local badger group for further help and advice. It maybe possible that the cub you've found is a genuine orphan and has come above ground in search of its mother. Many lactating females are sadly killed on our roads every year, leaving dependant cubs to slowly starve unless found and rescued. If you do see a badger at the side of the road, DO PLEASE STOP and check to see whether the animal is still alive, or a lactating female. Between January and the end of May a lactating sow badger will show prominent teats and, if seen in a dead road casualty, your local badger group needs to be notified immediately. Give exact location details where you've found the dead lactating sow. The badger group, or local wildlife rescue, can then look for any orphaned cubs that may have come above ground in search of their mum, who will now sadly never return to feed them.