RSPCA East Winch Wildlife Centre now caring for third badger as orphan cubs become adopted siblings
A third cub has now joined the clan of orphan badgers being cared for at a West Norfolk wildlife centre.
Bobby joined Bertha and Bartholomew at the RSPCA's East Winch Wildlife Centre last week and has so far settled in well.
In fact, staff said it was not long before he was enjoying a snooze and cuddle with his new adopted brother and sister.
Bobby was taken to the East Winch Wildlife Centre by a member of the public after he was also found orphaned in Cambridgeshire.
Bertha was found frozen solid by a dog walker in Lincolnshire in February, who kept her warm and safe before she was taken to the centre.
Meanwhile, Bartholomew was discovered in West Sussex and taken to the centre by East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service WRAS.
Evangelos Achilleos, wildlife centre manager, said: “It’s lovely to see that our badger cubs are all bonding well and it was such a pleasure to see them all curled up together having a nap.
“They are growing well and are currently weaning. The third badger cub joined us not long ago and has settled in nicely and is growing."
Mr Achilleos also took the opportunity to thank those who have helped them recently.
"The public has been so supportive of them with our Amazon wishlist and we are so grateful," he said.
“All orphaned wildlife is always classed as delicate due to the nature of rearing them. We are doing our best and all is going well so far.
"The badger cubs will remain together at the centre for a number of months until they are old enough to be released back to the wild - and they will be first introduced to a soft release site."
Badger cubs are typically born from the beginning of February to late April. Cubs stay below ground and emerge from their sett at around eight to ten weeks old.
However, they may continue to be dependent on their mother for some time afterwards.
More information about what to do if you find a badger cub alone is available here, but often the best thing to do will be to leave the cub alone and keep an eye on it, unless it is sick, injured or in immediate danger.
If you do find a dead badger report it to the Badger Trust, as it may be a lactating sow who could have cubs nearby depending on her.
If you would like to support the work of East Winch you can help by making a donation via their Amazon wishlist.
To find out more about how you can help wildlife, the RSPCA is asking people to consider signing up to the Big Help Out.
The charity is asking people to become ‘Wildlife Friends’ - a brand new volunteering role - and join thousands of others making a difference at the Big Help Out on May 8.
