Temporary emergency care

Badger cubs require specialist care and need to be reared with others of their own kind. Also rehabilitating these animals correctly back into the wild will take many months! Therefore, NEVER attempt to hand rear a cub yourself it needs to be transferred to a wildlife hospital as soon as possible, so that it can receive the professional care it requires.

If the cub's eyes are still closed, or it feels cold, or it's collapsed or it's extremely wet you will need to provide vital warmth. Having placed the cub on a towel in a box, fill a hot water bottle or plastic drinks bottle with hot water from the kettle, wrap the hot water bottle in a towel and place it in with the cub. Keep checking that the heat remains gentle, if it's too hot or not warm enough, you will need to adjust the water temperature in the bottle. In the meantime contact either a wildlife hospital, your local badger group or the RSPCA for further help and advice. Should the badger cub have any visible injuries, please contact your local veterinary practice as soon as possible.

An older badger cub that is frightened, or injured, can very easily give you a nasty bite. Therefore, we would always recommend that you wear a pair of thick gardening gloves, and use a towel to wrap the cub in before you place it in a strong box, or cat carrier. NEVER attempt to give the cub any milk, water or food unless advised to do so by a wildlife hospital.