REMEMBER you are responsible for your own safety and that of others. Even in following these guidelines you are at risk of harm and should enlist the help of a trained professional. Knoxwood will not be held responsible for any injures to yourself, others or property.

Please remember – you must never handle any wild bird or animal unless you are certain it needs help, and your sole intention is to provide that help.

Badgers are one of Britains most dangerous creatures to handle, you should not attempt to handle a badger without proper preparation and backup, even when unconscious they can waken at a moments notice and cause serious injury to a handler.

Normally, the only reason you will have to come into close contact with a badger is if you find an orphan, or a road casualty. Please see our separate article on orphan badgers.

Road injuries in adult badgers: You shoud call your vet or local sanctuary and have them rescue the badger.

Failing this, you will need a clear plan on how to proceed:

Find somewhere (sanctuary, vet, rehabilitation centre, RSPCA) for the badger to go before you attempt a rescue, otherwise you may spend hours driving around with a badger in your boot.

Check how responsive the badger is BEFORE you touch him. Use a wooden stick, one from the hedge will do, it should be at LEAST 2 feet long, (nothing made of metal such as a brolly or tire iron) and stand well back before you GENTLY stroke the badger all over with it, starting behind the head, and avoiding any obvious injuries and the eyes. The badger will either begin growling and snap at the stick (this is why the stick should be wood, he will not damage his teeth on it) or remain unresponsive.

If the badger responds you will need to get him some sedation – you must call the vet.

If he does not respond, you must still take care, he may be unconscious and come round unexpectedly.

To move an unresponsive badger you will need 2 responsible adults, a vehicle and a large blanket.

Open you car boot / back of a van FIRST

Place the blanket edge along the badgers back, one person on each corner, pull the blanket tight and use a sawing motion work the blanket under the badger until you have him in a blanket ‘hammock’ Keep your hands and face as far from the badger as possible.

Keep the blanket tight and lift him into the vehicle, cover him with the blanket edges but do not restrict his breathing by putting the blanket over his nose.

Tuck him around with more blanket / coats, whatever you have to stop him rolling around, but keep yourself clear from his face.

Do not put him on a car seat, in the front, on someones knee or in a footwell, there will be an accident if he wakes up.

Take him directly to the pre arranged facility and allow the staff there to unload him.

If you are stopped by the police with a badger in your car, you must explain why he is there or there will be serious questions raised, this is why you must have somewhere reputable (vet/sanctuary/rehabilitator) pre-arranged before transport.