CUAB Wildlife Rescue is seeking donations to build an extra rehabilitation enclosure after an increased intake of orphaned badger cubs.

The south Shropshire charity is currently caring for 24 cubs and urgently needs a new enclosure area to ensure they can be rehabilitated in time for autumn release. Donations can be made via cuanwildliferescue.org.uk

Approximately a quarter the size of a football pitch, the enclosure is vital for rehabilitation and will enable the cubs to get used to life in the wild in a controlled outdoor environment. Fully secured, the large enclosure will include an underground chamber and tunnel to mimic a badger’s natural home. The area also needs to include features such as shelter, logs, and soil, where the cubs can learn the skills to survive including digging for food and burrowing.

The enclosure costs up to £10,000, and with £3,000 raised so far, Cuan Wildlife Rescue is grateful for donations. To donate, a link to the JustGiving donation site can be found on the Facebook page @CuanWildlifeRescue or by selecting the ‘Support us’ link on cuanwildliferescue.org.uk Donations can also be made by bank transfer or cheque, by e-mailing fundraisingcwr@gmail.com or calling 01952 728070.

“This year we’ve admitted more badger cubs than ever before,” says Deb Bolger, Community Fundraiser, Cuan Wildlife Rescue. “To rehabilitate the cubs, we urgently need to build a new enclosure. We can only do this with the generosity of those who donate and every penny received is a step towards the release of the cubs back into the wild where they belong.”

The badger cubs have been rescued following the deaths of their mothers, mainly caused by car impact as well as injury and illness. The abandoned cubs have been found in Shropshire and throughout Britain.

During Covid restrictions with people spending more time outside, a higher number of orphaned cubs have been found. Combined with Cuan Wildlife Rescue’s growing national reputation for badger rehabilitation, the animal hospital’s two existing outdoor enclosures are already full.

When admitted to Cuan Wildlife Rescue, cubs who are still weaning require round-the-clock care including bottle feeding every 2.5 hours, up to the age of around 12 weeks old. At that stage, the cubs are placed into increasingly larger pens before release into the large enclosures.

Badgers have been a protected species in the UK since 1992.