Tragically, over 50,000 badgers are killed each year on roads throughout the United Kingdom and in the first instance any dead badger seen on the roads should be reported to The Badger Trust using www.badgertrust.org.uk

The Badger Trust now collates all the National Road Casualty Records and immediately shares those reports with local badger groups such as Shropshire Badger Group. 

There are a number of reasons for us wanting to know about road casualties, firstly of course badger welfare, but it’s also an opportunity to source other useful information.

Unfortunately it’s often very obvious that a road casualty badger is dead but where there is any doubt it’s essential to approach with care and touch the animal with a walking stick or something similar. 

If there are any signs of life, such as movement or breathing, it’s then important to contact Cuan Wildlife Hospital so that a suitably trained person gets to the location as soon as possible if the badger is to survive. The telephone number for Cuan Wildlife Hospital is 01952 728070.   If you find an injured badger when the hospital is shut,  please ring 07813 208291 for advice .   

During the inevitable delay the person finding and/or reporting the casualty can help considerably by covering the animal with a blanket or something else that will exclude the light which seems to have a calming effect on the animal.  The primary concern is to keep yourself safe and never attempt to help an injured badger if you will have to put yourself in danger such as on a busy road.   

If the animal is dead please use the What3Words app to obtain an accurate location reference.  This information should then be passed  to the Badger Trust online (easy to find via Google).  They have a straight forward reporting form especially for road casualties.  Once the Badger Trust has recorded the location on their national database, they will then notify Shropshire Badger Group for our records.   Never touch any dead animal without wearing protective gloves. During the Spring months, it is very helpful if you can check to see whether the badger is a lactating female which may have cubs needing to be rescued. If it is safe for you to to do so and you are wearing gloves, gently look to see if the animal has enlarged teats and/or signs of lactation.  Please call 07813 208291 should you find the body of a lactating female.