A BADGER suffering from concussion has been released back into the wild by the RSPCA.

A member of the public found the wild animal collapsed on Catbrook Road in Catbrook near Chepstow, on 8 January and contacted the RSPCA.

The badger was still conscious and kept trying to stand up, but kept falling over.

RSPCA animal collection officers (ACO) Fiona Jackson and Stephanie Davidson attended and took the sow (female badger) to a veterinary surgery for tests.

No fractures were spotted on an X-ray - but it was believed the badger was suffering a concussion - possibly from a road traffic collision.

RSPCA animal collection officer (ACO) Ellie West collected the badger and passed the animal onto Badger Watch and Rescue Dyfed.

“The badger just needed to go to a quiet place for rehabilitation,” said ACO West. “She was very quiet - as she was concussed. We think she may have been hit by a car.

“She was very quiet and just needed time, rest and recuperation. She started eating and she was fine. We monitored CCTV footage non-intrusively to check her progress.”

Mike Sharratt from Badger Watch and Rescue Dyfed kept an eye on the badger for around two weeks.

“She was no more than a couple of years old,” he said. “She was very slow to come around, but she soon did. It was great to see her go back into the wild.”

ACO West picked up the badger on 26 January and passed her onto ACO Davidson who released her back in a wooded area in Catbrook.

ACO Davidson said: “I opened the door and after a little bit she confidently disappeared off into the darkness and seemed happy to be back.”

If you are concerned for the welfare of a wild animal that seems to be alone, please watch from a distance and call the RSPCA’s Cruelty & Advice line on 0300 1234 999.

To help the RSPCA with rescues like this, you can give £3 now by texting HELP to 78866 (Text costs £3 + one standard network rate message).