A badger found himself in need of a helping hand after getting trapped in a disused swimming pool on the Isle of Wight.
The RSPCA were called to help free the stranded wild animal, who was unable to escape after falling into the pool in Binstead.
RSPCA Animal Collection Officer Shirley Bradley said:
“The badger had clearly been desperately trying to clamber out by himself and had minor bleeding and superficial damage to his claws as a result.
“However, with a 6ft sheer climb to make he was clearly in need of some help.
“The badger was found by the property owner after it’s thought he’d fallen in overnight. Thankfully there were no injuries on the badger, but he did do a lot of damage to the right hand side of the pool.”
The animal welfare charity urges any homeowners with swimming pools or ponds to build a little ramp, slope the edges or use stones as steps to allow any wildlife which should fall into the water – or empty hole – to climb out.
If anyone spots a wild animal trapped, injured or in distress, please contact the RSPCA’s 24-hour emergency line on 0300 1234 999.
For more information on badgers, visit the RSPCA website.
