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Introduction

Road Traffic Accidents (RTAs) account for the vast majority of injured badgers that people find in Britain, and claim the lives of thousands of badgers every year. Most are killed immediately but others are left injured and may recover if treated promptly.

Next time you spot the all too familiar sight of a badger lying motionless in the road which is not obviously dead, please check it. If it is alive, you may be able to help save its life or least minimise its suffering. The following guidelines should help.

Note that these guidelines are aimed mainly a British audience, but may also be helpful elsewhere if willing vets or wildlife rescue centres are available to deal with any casualties encountered.

Disclaimer: Due to the unpredictability of wild badgers (and other road users), and the fact that each rescue situation will be different, I take no responsibility for any injury, loss or damage suffered or caused by any person as a result of the guidance below being followed. If you wish to assist an injured badger on the road, this guidance should help, but anybody who attempts to deal with an injured badger does so entirely at their own risk.

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Be prepared

If you want to be able to help any injured badgers that you may come across in your travels, then it will help if you keep a few items of information and equipment in your car. Here is a list of suggestions:

• A print out of this Badger Page (and of Part 2).
• A notepad and pen.
• A list of names and telephone numbers of individuals and organisations who will rescue and treat injured badgers, such as your local Badger Group, animal rescue organisation, vets and the RSPCA or SSPCA.
• An old blanket or coat.
• A large plastic sheet.
• A stout stick, hammer handle or cut down wooden broom handle.
• A torch, or even better, a multi-purpose lantern featuring a flashing orange warning light. (Check the torch or latern at intervals and change or re-charge the batteries as necessary.)
• A reflective warning triangle.
• A high-visibility jacket.
• A pair of rubber gardening gloves, or a supply of disposable polythene gloves. (Note: these are for handling the badger if it turns out to be dead; trying to handle a live badger while wearing gloves is not recommended. This is because because they will make handling the animal more difficult and increase the risk of your being bitten, and also because they will provide no protection whatsoever if the badger does decide to bite you.)

Keeping a mobile phone with you is also a great help!

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When you see a casualty

If you are unable to stop - for example because you are on a busy road or motorway, or late for work - try to judge the animal's status as you go by, or if you have a passenger, get them to do so. Make a mental note of exactly where the RTA victim is (measure the distance to the next road junction with your mileometer). Note this information in your notebook as soon as you are able to stop, or get your passenger to do so, and call for help as soon as possible after that. Above all, drive safely and do not put yourself or other road users at risk.

If you are able to stop:

• Remember that your safety and the safety of other road users comes first; park sensibly with your hazard warning lights on if appropriate, and do not endanger yourself or others. If possible and if it is safe to do so, park close to the badger so that your car protects it from being hit by oncoming traffic. Wear a high visibility jacket. If it is dark, use your torch so that you can see and be seen. If you have a flashing emergency light, place this between the badger and oncoming traffic (if you have not been able to park in this position). Nobody, least of all the badger, will benefit from further accidents.
• The first thing you need to determine is whether the animal is dead or alive - this is not always obvious. If the badger is lying motionless and you are not sure whether or not it is dead, stroke the back of its neck with a stick. If it is alive and conscious, it will normally react to this by moving, and possibly by biting the stick. If there is no reaction, then feel the chest for movements associated with breathing.

Your next actions will depend on whether the badger is alive or dead. See Part 2 of this article for details.

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Picture credits

The Eurasian badger photo used at the head of this Article is © Steve Jackson. Credits for the photos used in the right-hand margin of this page for site navigation can be found on the Credits page.

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