Giving Wildlife a Fighting Chance – Saving Lives, from Birds to Badgers

Wildlife and Badger Care

Wildlife and Badger Care is a voluntary organisation that works from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. every night to help wildlife casualties. They offer advice, veterinary contacts and in some cases can collect and care for animals over-night. They cover mainly Somerset but are available also for advice and will help in other areas if they can.

The casualties are cared for in the home of Pauline Kidner at Secret World Wildlife Rescue in East Huntspill and are passed on to Secret World Wildlife Rescue the following morning. Animals can arrive at the centre at any time and ring the main bell by the main gate for help. They work closely with Quantock Veterinary Hospital who have vast experience in the care of wildlife casualties.

The Wildlife and Badger Care room is equipped with a badger pen, a padded Deer Unit and large and small incubators together with many cages for smaller animals. The incubators are a lifeline for casualties that arrive cold and dehydrated. With controlled temperatures, animals can be safely housed at a constant temperature through the night. The different sizes mean that any kind of wildlife can be supported ranging from gardens birds to an adult badger or fox. The design makes cleaning easy which avoids infection and is very visual to monitor the animal inside.

‘We are very lucky,’ said Pauline, founder of Wildlife and Badger Care, ‘that we have volunteers prepared to go out at night to help rescue animals. We train them and help provide equipment for them whether they are just collecting a contained casualty or actually carrying out the rescue themselves. Other volunteers man the phones and ensure that a record is kept of those attending incidences.’

Pauline has worked with badgers for over 25 years and is well known for badger cub rearing, having looked after over 1,000 badger cubs from the tiniest new-born to ones that come in weaned. ‘With very small badger cubs, the incubator is critical to them surviving, as well as being able to feed them every 3 hours day and night for at least two weeks!’ says Pauline. ‘We have used the older TLC-4 incubators in the past but the new models now have better temperature control and the air circulation means that the required heat is throughout the space. The larger model is suitable for adult badgers and has saved many that have survived road accidents.’ Pauline strives to ensures that every animal brought to her is given the best care. She was instrumental in creating the Badger Rehabilitation Policy that is often quoted in parliament.

With many accidents happening at night, Wildlife and Badger Care are often called by the police to assist. Other members help with the fundraising to finance the rescue work. Anyone wishing to support the group or needing help for a wildlife casualty please ring 07954 036687. The group works closely with the Somerset and Devon Badger Groups.