LOWER MOSS WOOD

Badgers & Foxes

Injured badgers and foxes need to be approached with caution and should not be handled by inexperienced people. If you come across one at the side of the road that needs attention, call us or the RSPCA. Do not try to move it yourself. They can give a nasty bite. This also applies to cubs.

Never try to put an unconscious badger or fox in your car or boot. If it is on the roadside you may need to inform the police. Do not put yourself at risk. Hazard lights, a torch or a high-vis jacket can alert other drivers. If it crawls away, keep an eye on where it goes until help arrives.

Fox cubs are often moved from one earth to another at about four to five weeks old. A cub left calling is not always abandoned — watch from a distance. Very young badger cubs found away from a sett may need help: contain in a strong carry box or cat basket, not cardboard, and call us.

Hedgehogs

If you find a hedgehog in the daytime there is usually something wrong. It needs care quickly. It may be dehydrated or suffering fly strike — small clusters of white sausage-shaped eggs, often behind the ears or along the skirt. Keep it warm, offer meaty cat food and water, and bring it to us.

Hedgehogs get caught in netting, fall into ponds, become stuck in drains and are injured by strimmers and cars. If it is in distress, get it to someone who knows as soon as you can.

Orphaned hogs often come in litters. Do not use cow’s milk. Autumn young need to weigh at least 500g to hibernate; smaller ones should come into care.

Birds

Garden birds such as thrushes, blackbirds and robins often leave the nest before they can fly. They sit around the garden and call to their parents. Never pick up an uninjured fledgling unless you are sure it is in danger. If you must move it, put it somewhere safer nearby and leave. The parent will find it.

Owls are often found on the ground. Nine times out of ten they are all right. They may have fallen and chosen to lie low until evening. Fledgling owls can climb back up. Leave them unless they are obviously injured or in danger.

Parent ducks often nest away from water and may fly off to distract you. Leave ducklings unless you are sure they have been abandoned or you find one entirely alone.

Bats

Always wear gloves. Some bats can carry a strain of rabies. If a bat is flying unharmed in the house, open a window wide and encourage it out. If you find one in the daytime, put it in a shoebox with a bottle-top of water and keep it quiet until dark. Wearing gloves, place it on a tree or the side of the house. Shivering before take-off is normal.

If it is still there in the morning, or if it is injured or was caught by a cat, bring it to the hospital.