Three orphaned badger cubs are recuperating at a Somerset wildlife center after being discovered wandering alone beside a road, days after their mother was killed by a vehicle.
The young animals, estimated to be just eight to nine weeks old, were found near South Petherton by a driver who noticed them without an adult nearby. Tragically, a dead lactating female badger—believed to be their mother—was also found further along the same stretch of road.
The cubs were swiftly taken to the Secret World Wildlife Rescue center in East Huntspill, where they arrived severely underweight, anaemic, and plagued by parasite infestations. Experts at the center believe the animals had been trying to survive on their own for several days.
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Katie Gibbs, wildlife care supervisor, commented, “The cubs were absolutely crawling with fleas. I’ve never seen that many on a single animal before. They were weak, frightened, and desperately in need of help. It’s a miracle they survived as long as they did on their own.”
Named Dr. Pepper, Pepsi, and Lilt, the trio comprises two females and one male. Dr. Pepper, the male, has already displayed a protective side, with video footage capturing him returning to comfort the smallest of the three, Lilt, during their initial rescue.
Staff at Secret World are now bottle-feeding the cubs with Babydog milk, specially selected to mimic the nutrients found in badger mothers’ milk. The cubs, at this age, would still be nursing in the wild, so they are being fed three times daily to support their growth and recovery.
Lilt, the most underweight of the group, has required extra care. She is now feeding more confidently thanks to patient attention from the team. Feeding is conducted using tabards infused with the cubs' clan scent to reduce stress and reinforce their social instincts.
Katie added, “It’s a delicate balance. We want to build enough trust for feeding, but without allowing them to become tame. Our ultimate goal is to return them to the wild, where they belong.”
Secret World is sharing updates on the cubs’ journey through its social media channels and hopes their story will draw attention to the fragile state of British wildlife and the work being done to support it.
The charity has also launched its ‘Spring into Action’ appeal, aiming to raise £20,000 to cover veterinary and staff costs in 2025. They say staffing costs have risen by 27%—an increase of £64,500—since 2023, as demand for their services continues to grow.
The center, which receives no government funding, admits thousands of injured, sick, and orphaned animals each year. It is calling on supporters to help ensure the sustainability of its operations while improving the quality of care it provides.