RSPCA called out to 'challenging' rescue after grumpy badger falls down lightwell of Gosport house

The residents spotted the large wild mammal stuck down the front of their building – so they called the RSPCA for help.

RSPCA animal rescue officer Hannah Nixon found that the animal had fallen down a 1.5 metres drop at the front of the house, with the badger in no mood to be helped.

She said: ‘As the walls were smooth and vertical, he had found it impossible to get enough grip to climb out on his own.

‘I armed myself with a ladder, a carrying container and a grasper, and climbed down into the well.

‘It was quite a challenge to catch the badger - he was really not in the mood, and it took several attempts before I was able to catch him and gently transfer him into the container.’

Despite his misadventure, the badger was found to be unharmed.

Hannah added: ‘Once I’d brought him back up to the surface, I checked him over. Luckily, he appeared unscathed by his ordeal. So I transported him to a nearby wildlife reserve where I released him back into the wild.

‘My thanks go to the householders who reported the plight of the badger to us. Happily, this incident had a happy ending, but it could have ended very differently.’

To report an animal in distress, contact the RSPCA’s helpline on 0300 1234 999 or visit the RSPCA’s website.