AssetID: 54688167
Headline: RAW VIDEO: Adorable Trio Of Baby Badgers Recovering After 'Miracle' Rescue In Somerset
Caption: These three adorable badger cubs had a tragic start in life but are now on the mend after a “miracle” rescue by a Somerset wildlife charity. The stripy orphans are now safe and receiving expert care at Secret World Wildlife Rescue, after being found alone and vulnerable by a roadside in South Petherton on Monday 7 April. The cubs, estimated to be just 8–9 weeks old, were spotted by a concerned driver who noticed them wandering without their mother. A deceased lactating badger sow, presumed to be their mother, was discovered further along the road - meaning the cubs had been left all alone in the world. One of Secret World’s experienced volunteers swiftly responded to the call, transporting the cubs to the charity’s treatment centre. On arrival, the young badgers were found to be severely underweight, anaemic, and infested with parasites, indicating they had been alone for several days. The wildlife care team acted quickly, administering urgent first aid, removing parasites, and performing thorough health checks. Due to their fragile condition, staff wore full PPE to avoid transmitting any human-borne diseases to the vulnerable cubs. “The cubs were absolutely crawling with fleas. I’ve never seen that many on a single animal before,” said Katie Gibbs, Wildlife Care Supervisor. “They were weak, frightened, and desperately in need of help. It's a miracle they survived as long as they did on their own.” The sibling trio, two females and one male, have since been named Dr. Pepper, Pepsi, and Lilt. Dr. Pepper, the only male, has already shown a protective streak towards his sibling. Footage from the rescue shows him bravely returning to help his smallest sister, a touching reminder of the close social bonds badgers share. Now in the care of Secret World’s dedicated wildlife team, the cubs are being responsibly bottle-fed Babydog milk, a carefully chosen formula to meet their nutritional needs. In the wild, cubs of this age would still be nursing, so three feeds a day are essential to help them gain weight and strength. Lilt, the smallest of the three, has required extra attention. Thanks to the care and patience of the team, she’s now beginning to take her feeds more confidently. Feeding is carried out using tabards infused with the cubs’ own clan scent, which helps reduce stress and promotes a sense of security. “It’s a delicate balance,” added Katie Gibbs. “We want to build enough trust for feeding, but without allowing them to become tame. Our ultimate goal is to return them to the wild, where they belong.” You can Follow Dr. Pepper, Pepsi, and Lilt’s recovery journey on Secret World Wildlife Rescue’s social media channels for updates, photos, and behind-the-scenes rescue, rehabilitation and release stories.
Keywords: badgers,cubs,feature,photo,video,animals,somerset,rescue,babies
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