THIS little badger cub has been reunited with its family after being found stranded near Selby.

The cub was spotted above ground and running up and down the perimeter fence of a factory just outside Selby.

He was trapped between residential gardens and a high security fence, when residents heard its squeals and went to investigate.

They contacted Selby Badger Watch coordinator Ann Coates, who was monitoring badger setts in the area.

Ann said: “It wasn’t difficult to catch the cub.

“He was exhausted and distressed.

“His mum was nowhere to be seen and the fact that he was alone and above ground in broad daylight was very worrying as badgers are nocturnal creatures and are rarely seen during daylight hours with cubs usually emerging between May and June.”

After taking advice from the RSPCA, the cub was rehydrated with sugar water and wrapped in a clean fleece, and its rescuers set about trying to find its home.

Ann said: “I was aware of a number of badger setts close to where the cub was found. However, finding the right one proved more difficult.

“At the first one we tried, it initially looked hopeful at first when an adult badger popped her head up after hearing the cub’s cries.

“Unfortunately, the cub was so distressed we could not persuade him to go down the entrance hole. He just ran back out, clung to our legs and even followed us back to the car park. He was just like a lost little puppy.”

She said the cub was taken home, handled only with gloves, kept warm and given more fluids and when darkness fell he was taken to another sett.

When the adult badgers began to emerge the cub was carefully released.

Ann said: “It was a difficult decision to make. If the cub didn’t belong to that particular clan, the boar would have killed him. If we left him alone crying, a fox would have taken him. Luckily the cub was approached by a female and they both ran off into the undergrowth.”

Due to high numbers of badgers being killed on the A19 between Barlby and Fulford, Selby Badger Watch would like to hear from people living near this area to inform them of any known and active setts.

It can be phoned on 07803 180720 or log on to selbybadgerwatch.com