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NOTTINGHAMSHIRE BADGER GROUP
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| Fido and Fifi rescued badger cubs 2019 |
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The story of two cubs who had been found in difficulty in two different locations
Fido 2019On the 7th of April 2019, Nottinghamshire Badger Group had a call from a lady, who said she used to be a vet. She lives in Frieston near Grantham, Lincolnshire. Fifi 2019On the 25th of April 2019, the badger group had a call from the local RSPCA officer, who had been to Ilkeston to collect a female cub ( Fifi) which a member of the public had found, freezing cold and in a hailstorm. The RSPCA officer was asking if anyone with experience would be able to look after her locally. He had first taken the cub to the vet. The vet gave her an injection of long acting antibiotics but reported a slow heart rate, poor prognosis but worth a try, to be looked after by experienced badger carer. The plan being that if she recovered sufficiently she would then be taken to a rescue to join other cubs and eventually be released into the wild. A group member collected the cub and took it immediately to our experienced badger cub carer. She weighed 1.70 kilos. Two group members returned to the area where Fifi was found to search for the sett (and possibly more cubs) and to see if they could get her back to the natal sett but unfortunately it was a large area and they were unable to find it.
Fido arrived some two and a half weeks before Fifi. Both cubs were found to be heavily infested with fleas and ticks upon arrival and these were removed manually by group members. The cubs were both undernourished, weak and upset by their recent ordeals.
An early photo of Fido still looking very lost and distressed, not moving properly. In the photo he had just been fed but his ears are down, his eyes showing depression and dejection, not surprising as he had just lost his home, parents and siblings. He soon picked up when a jar of honey was opened.
Fido after a few days settled with his carer. The cub spent a good deal of time curled up with his carer over the first few days, only moving to be bottle fed. He went off feeding once or twice but he eventually became more lively, began cleaning himself and shredded his bedding. Being kept in a cage would not have benefited the cub, instead he had the sense of security, sleeping in a close, draft free environment.
The cub benefitted from being comforted over those first few days and began to show a much more lively expression.
The arrival of Fifi brought about further positive changes. The cubs bonded very well although Fido was 2 to 3 weeks older and stronger. They wrapped themselves in a make-shift sett bed of covers and towels to sleep in. It was apparent that the cubs should eventually go to the same rescue facility together.
Play fighting. The now boisterous and very active cubs were exploring their surroundings, chewing, climbing, investigating. They were active for about 20 hours a day.
The cubs progressed from being bottle fed to lapping goats milk with biscuits from a bowl, then later puppy food and finally adult dog food. Fido was never willing to share food with Fifi and they always had to be fed in seperate areas.
Fifi following the more confident Fido's lead in more adventurous expeditions. The cubs were taken on trips outside but not for too long.
Withing two weeks of Fifi's arrival, both cubs had progressed to eating adult dog food. Both had gained weight, strength and confidence. A date had been set for the cubs to be taken to the rescue centre.
They have now been taken to the rescue and will be entered into a release scheme once they have been TB tested by a vet.
The wildlife hospital said that the two cubs would eventually be released together. Good Luck Cubs !!
Assorted other lively cubs at the release scheme. The rescue center releases cubs from an RSPCA specialist wildlife hospital in North Wales. |
