A MOTHER badger and her young cub had a lucky escape when they were found to have fallen down a 10ft-deep drainage shaft.

The pair were fortunate to be discovered by a member of the public as it was late at night, and they were found on a remote field in Mobberley, when the man’s dog sniffed out the stricken pair.

The man attempted to try and rescue the sow and cub, but realised he was unable to, so called for the help of the Wirral and West Cheshire Badger Group, who also alerted he farmer.

They were unable to safely reach the exhausted animals, so alerted the RSPCA, and Animal Collection Officer Emma Dwan was sent to the scene just before midnight on Thursday, May 23.

Emma said: “It was difficult because the badgers were so deep in the drainage shaft. They must have been walking along at night and simply fallen in.

“I had a specialist pole which I used to first scoop up the cub and then eventually managed to get the sow, but this was difficult as she was so exhausted she wasn’t moving much.

“We have no idea how long they were down there, but it was lucky they were found when they were, and it was such a remote location it really was remarkable they were discovered.

“By 2am on the Friday both badgers were freed, and they were taken to the RSPCA’s Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre near Nantwich, where they spent a few days enjoying some rest and rehabilitation.

“They were given fluids and food until they were strong enough to be returned to the wild.”

The drainage tunnel has been filled in by the landowner. The badgers have now been rehabilitated and released back into the wild.