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Smallest-ever badger cared for by Scottish SPCA after being dragged from her sett in wood near Inverness


By Val Sweeney

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The two-week-old cub was discovered in woodland near Inverness. Picture: Scottish SPCA.
The two-week-old cub was discovered in woodland near Inverness. Picture: Scottish SPCA.

The Scottish SPCA is caring for its youngest-ever badger – a two-week-old cub found in woodland near Inverness.

The animal welfare charity was alerted to the tiny cub by a member of the public on Valentine’s Day.

It is suspected she was dragged away from her sett by another animal.

The badger, who has been named Lavender, will be reared by wildlife care assistant April Sorley at the Scottish SPCA’s National Wildlife Rescue Centre in Clackmannanshire for the next 10 weeks.

Lavender will be weaned at 12 weeks and released in the autumn with other badger cubs in the society’s care.

It is thought the tiny badger cub was dragged from her sett by another animal. Picture: Scottish SPCA.
It is thought the tiny badger cub was dragged from her sett by another animal. Picture: Scottish SPCA.

Ms Sorley said: "We believe Lavender is the youngest badger cub to ever be cared for at our National Wildlife Rescue Centre.

"When she arrived she was smaller than my hand and weighed just 250g, although she’s getting bigger every day!

"She is bottle feeding well, and has doubled her weight since she arrived which we’re so pleased about.

"As of today she weighs 575g.

"I’ll be hand-rearing her until she is 12-weeks-old as that is when she would be weaned if she was with her mum in the wild."

April Sorley is looking after Lavender. Picture: Scottish SPCA.
April Sorley is looking after Lavender. Picture: Scottish SPCA.

Ms Sorley continued: "We usually see badgers come into our care around April time, when they are old enough to venture out of their sett and explore their surroundings.

"She was a very unexpected, but perfect Valentine."

If a member of the public finds a wild animal in need of help then they should contact the Scottish SPCA’s animal helpline on 03000 999 999.


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