Old Badger

[mystic meg]

Today I was called out to rescue a badger that was above ground taking shelter in a shooting range bunker. It was curled round as they do when resting, she had managed to gather some dried grass and this she was using as a make shift bed. As I approached her she glanced up, so moving quietly I
tried to see if she was injured in any way, they often suffer with bite wounds on their rump or neck from other badgers, but there was no sign of any injuries. The warden who took me there mentioned that the range would be used tomorrow with live ammo, so I made the choice to catch her. Using the grasper, which I hate using unless I really have to, I caught her without much struggle on her part. I covered the cage with a blanket and loaded her on the ambulance, back at the hospital we were able to look at her more closely. Her eyes had cateracts indicating an old badger, one more check to confirm it, I gently (through the cage) lifted her top lip to check her teeth, her fate unfolded as soon as I saw she had no lower incisors.This was an old sow at the end of her days, above ground struggling to survive because she could not eat, and as sad as this tale is we did the kindest thing by putting her to sleep as she was not releasable at the end of the day, very sad though because she was still fairly allert.

[forevergreen]

That is very sad. Though it probably best. She probably would have just got eaten if you didnt.

[mh68]

Very sad to read, but the best decision considering the poor Badgers plight.At least it didnt have to spend even longer slowly starving to death.

Mark H

[stripee]

Poor old lady. She was lucky to be put to sleep. I believe this is the commonest cause of death in badgers. So if feeding them, it's better not to give anything sugary in case of tooth decay.

[mystic meg]

Hi sripee, with this sow I do believe, was very much a natural process, due to the way badgers feed, using their lower insisors to get worms out of the ground and the area she was in was chalk downland so that being a disadvantage to her, but saying that at least she got to old age and she wasn't scarred at all, so must have had a good life. Unfortunately badgers are renowned for having a sweet tooth, quite often if injured badgers come into the hospital and lose their appetite we do offer them tempting bites to revive their appetite, ie honey, jam sandwiches, only temporary though!

[Kerry]

Originally Posted by mystic meg

Hi sripee, with this sow I do believe, was very much a natural process, due to the way badgers feed, using their lower insisors to get worms out of the ground and the area she was in was chalk downland so that being a disadvantage to her, but saying that at least she got to old age and she wasn't scarred at all, so must have had a good life. Unfortunately badgers are renowned for having a sweet tooth, quite often if injured badgers come into the hospital and lose their appetite we do offer them tempting bites to revive their appetite, ie honey, jam sandwiches, only temporary though!

Hi Mystic Meg

A sad tale but at least she was put to sleep rather than dying slowly.

[juliejam]

A rather sad and touching tale ..but at least when she had came to the end of her days she was in the hands of someone who cared and appreciated her for what she was .putting an end to her life with out any suffering is the kindest thing you could have done..

Julie

[tufftie]

Originally Posted by mystic meg

Today I was called out to rescue a badger that was above ground taking shelter in a shooting range bunker. It was curled round as they do when resting, she had managed to gather some dried grass and this she was using as a make shift bed. As I approached her she glanced up, so moving quietly I
tried to see if she was injured in any way, they often suffer with bite wounds on their rump or neck from other badgers, but there was no sign of any injuries. The warden who took me there mentioned that the range would be used tomorrow with live ammo, so I made the choice to catch her. Using the grasper, which I hate using unless I really have to, I caught her without much struggle on her part. I covered the cage with a blanket and loaded her on the ambulance, back at the hospital we were able to look at her more closely. Her eyes had cateracts indicating an old badger, one more check to confirm it, I gently (through the cage) lifted her top lip to check her teeth, her fate unfolded as soon as I saw she had no lower incisors.This was an old sow at the end of her days, above ground struggling to survive because she could not eat, and as sad as this tale is we did the kindest thing by putting her to sleep as she was not releasable at the end of the day, very sad though because she was still fairly allert.

I'm not saying you could or should have done anything else and this comment really applies to lots of wildlife rescue related issues.
You say she as still quite alert - if there was someone that was capable and dedicated enough to do it could she have been kept in captivity (obviously with badger friendly runs etc) and hand fed or other? Please don't think I'm criticizing in anyway, the only reason I ask this is because in America they have a wide range of wildlife rescuers and rehabers etc and also people that are willing to take on three legged deer and old animals with teeth problems etc. It just seems sad that we could not build up such a network in this country too. i've got to know some rehabers over there and the network they have and the lengths people are prepared to go to is pretty amazing - most of the time it's voluntary too.
Obviously this is nothing to do with you or any other wildlife rescuer or rehaber in this country and it is great you take the time with any wildlife, not just the old badger. It's just something i think should and could be tackled over here.

[naturelover]

i am so glad you found the poor dear,you did the kindest thing possable no more suffering,which obviously she was she had given up and was ready to die,how long do badgers live?

[mystic meg]

Originally Posted by tufftie

I'm not saying you could or should have done anything else and this comment really applies to lots of wildlife rescue related issues.
You say she as still quite alert - if there was someone that was capable and dedicated enough to do it could she have been kept in captivity (obviously with badger friendly runs etc) and hand fed or other? Please don't think I'm criticizing in anyway, the only reason I ask this is because in America they have a wide range of wildlife rescuers and rehabers etc and also people that are willing to take on three legged deer and old animals with teeth problems etc. It just seems sad that we could not build up such a network in this country too. i've got to know some rehabers over there and the network they have and the lengths people are prepared to go to is pretty amazing - most of the time it's voluntary too.
Obviously this is nothing to do with you or any other wildlife rescuer or rehaber in this country and it is great you take the time with any wildlife, not just the old badger. It's just something i think should and could be tackled over here.

Hi tufftie'
Sorry but that is not something i would not have considered in this particular case, she was a wild animal to keep her in captivity would go against everything we believe in. We believe in quality of life at the end of the day and if thats not possible euthinasia is the best policy. I know you were only suggesting what we may have been able to do, and I respect that but have strong veiws on how much you should put a wild animal through. I know we did the right thing. Thanks for all the other comments, much appreciated.