A group of rescued badgers have finally been introduced into their newly rebuilt outdoor pen at South Essex Wildlife Hospital, after last year's cubs destroyed the original structure. The orphaned animals had to spend longer than expected in their nursery stable as construction was delayed by a 'national shed shortage' caused by more people working from home.
The new pen features a paddling area, sleeping quarters and tubes that mimic those in the artificial sett they will be moved into when released back into the wild. The hospital said the young cubs were 'constantly on escape attempts' and 'chomping at the bit' to get outside.
The badgers were rescued as cubs and have been cared for by the hospital, which is based in South Essex. The hospital did not provide a specific timeline for their release but said the new pen is a step towards their eventual return to the wild.
