Holding out for a hero: One brave woman, one soggy badger - and a jet ski. Lousie McGowen tells the tale...
I was walking back from a morning spent cleaning out the hedgehog enclosures at Vale Wildlife Hospital when my manager Martin approached and asked if I was ready to go out on my first rescue. There had been reports of a badger caught in a flood in Upton on Severn in Worcestershire, England.
On arrival, only the boats in the town’s marina distinguished the river from the surrounding farmland now engulfed in water. Our hearts sank at the sight of mud flying into the air from an isolated pocket of land. The badger was digging for its life and had nowhere to turn amidst the deepening cold and murky January water.
Paul from Severn Area Rescue Association met us with his jet ski, but the water was rising fast, and the badger suddenly swam away and was out of sight.
After 20 minutes, we were losing light and hope.
Snapping into action, Martin turned to me. “You can swim, right?” he asked. The jet ski was only big enough for Paul, one passenger and minimal equipment. Adrenaline pumping and with no time to waste, I responded: “I sure can!” The engine revved and we set off into the barbed-wire-fence riddled water.
I broke through the branches to create a small opening and the desperate animal shuffled up onto the towel
After 20 minutes, we were losing light and hope. Still, I kept my eyes peeled. “I see it!” I exclaimed over the radio. Goosebumps covered my body at the sight of a black-and white blob clinging to a tree. I broke through the branches to create a small opening and the desperate animal shuffled up onto the towel I had placed in front of it. With one hand holding on to my life jacket, Paul braced as I wrapped the towel around the badger, and then together we pulled. Just like that, ‘plonk’, I had an exhausted and soaking wet adult badger on my lap with only a towel between us. (Do not try this at home!)
After a swift “I’ve got her” into the radio and a cheer from the spectators, we made it back to shore. A health check back at the hospital revealed she was an 11kg female with no serious injuries, but as the floods weren’t receding anytime soon, she would have to remain in our care until we could safely return her back to her territory.
Just two days later one badger became two – she was pregnant! And three months later, when the floods receded and her male cub was big enough, I had the pleasure of releasing them both back to the wild.
About the author
Louise McGowan is a senior advisor at Natural England, involved in local nature recovery strategies by day and animal rescue by night. She is also an aspiring children’s author.
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