Badger Strikes Back!

On the 29thof April 2011, BBC Sussex reported the successful rescue of a badger from an empty swimming pool on a farm in Hailsham.

The successful rescue of the badger from the pool was carried out by East Sussex Wildlife Rescue & Ambulance Service using a dog

Note that the badger has chosen to wear an eye mask in order to avoid identification...

catcher (a long pole with a loop on the end, not the creepy guy from Disney’sLady and the Tramp).  Trevor Weeks, who co-ordinated the rescue told the BBC:

“Badgers are never easy to catch at the best of times and this location was not easy – especially the nettles.”*

There has been some speculation about how the badger came to be in the pool in the first place.  Badgers, unlike otters are not natural water dwellers.  Although, as with almost all animals they are able to swim it is not a hobby for them.  Badgers and synchronised swimming do not go hand in hand.  Our man on the ground or in this case in the pool had this offering on the subject of badgers and swimming:

“I would imagine the badger is somewhat annoyed as he was training to swim the channel… he appreciates that the RSPCA had his best interests at heart but he felt he was being discriminated against.  If he were a whale they’d be pushing him into the water!  He probably also feels that it’s stereotyping like this that is holding young badgers back from fulfilling their full potential… and that he quite likes a swim… washes the dust from the fur…”

While we always appreciate Graham’s thoughts, we do wonder whether he has a tad too much time on his hands.

Our sources tell us that there may be a more calculated motive behind this latest badger disturbance.  Although only whispers in the trees at the moment a creature with their ear to the ground tells us of the possible emergence of a dissident group of badgers calling themselves BAG (Badgers Against Guns).  This is a peaceful, yet well organised group of badgers said to be opposed to being shot.

Recent government proposals to allow the legalisation of farmers shooting badgers as part of the “Big Society” are the speculated reason behind badgers getting organised.  One source from the woods who preferred to go unnamed told us:

“Big society, but not big enough for us badgers.  There’s no proof we spread anything and we’ve been queuing up for the National Trust vaccinations.  It just got too much for some of the guys, sick of being persecuted on the grounds of speculation they got organised.  Demonstrations like this are getting us attention.  Hopefully people will see a cute badger stuck somewhere and rush to help rather than rush for their guns.  Of course there is a chance we’ll be shot, but we are determined to raise awareness for our plight peacefully. ”

So, can we expect to see more demonstrations such as this drawing attention to BAG’s cause?  We will keep you informed, as it seems badgers are striking back.

*Original BBC report available here:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-13239606

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