Carry a Rescue Kit

• • • An old blanket or coat

    • Large plastic sheet

    • Stout stick or half a broom stick; hammer handle

    • Torch or multi-purpose lantern

    • Rubber gardening gloves (to wear while moving a dead badger)

If you see a badger but are unable to stop

• • • Try and judge the animal's status (or get a passenger to look, if possible)

    • Make a note of the animal's position (distance to next junction on mileometer)

    • Call for help as soon as possible

If you find a badger on the road

• • • Park sensibly near the badger to protect it from other vehicles without endangering yourself or other road users.

    • Put your hazard warning lights on; you mustn't endanger yourself or others.

    • A flashing emergency light placed between the badger and oncoming traffic will be a help

Examine the Badger

• • • Is it dead or alive? This is not always obvious.

    • Using your stick, gently but firmly stroke the back of the badger's neck.

    • Keep your fingers well away - it may twist around suddenly and bite the stick.

Is there any reaction?

• • • If it strikes out and bites the stick be very careful; cover it with a blanket top keep it dark and quiet.

    • If not, watch for movement in the chest and abdomen, indicating that the badger is breathing.

    • If unconscious, each breath may be long, slow and shallow, so you need to be observant and patient.

    • Hold your stick by the badger's jaws and put one hand on the chest to see if you can detect movement.

    • If not, move your hand to the abdomen and see if you can detect a rise and fall.