A Safe Return to the Woods for Dawlish Badger
A badger who found itself in difficulty between houses in Dawlish earlier this month has now been successfully returned to the wild, following nine days of treatment and care at Secret World Wildlife Rescue.
The badger was discovered trapped between houses in Dawlish on Wednesday 5 August 2026. It was clear that the animal had suffered injuries, including bites to its tail and head, and needed specialist care. The decision was therefore made to take the badger to Secret World Wildlife Rescue, where it could receive the treatment and support it needed.
After nine days in the care of the rescue centre, the badger was considered ready to return to the wild. On Friday 14 August 2026, it was successfully released into the woods above the leisure centre in Dawlish. Great care was taken to identify the sett the badger was most likely to have come from, rather than simply releasing it at another suitable location. The sett was found further down the track, and as soon as the badger was released, it seemed to know exactly where it was.
The release took place at around 9 pm, when the woodland was already very dark and quiet. The badger seemed completely at home in its surroundings. It made its way into the woods with a sense of purpose.
Food and water were placed out in accordance with recommendations from Secret World Wildlife Rescue, providing the badger with some additional support as it settled back into its natural surroundings. This was an important part of the release process, helping to give the animal a little extra assistance following its time in care, while allowing it to return to its normal wild behaviour.
The release was also made considerably easier thanks to the help of the rescuer, whose knowledge of the area was invaluable. Their understanding of the woodland and the surrounding area helped greatly when locating the sett the badger was most likely to have come from. This local knowledge was particularly important on a dark evening when finding the right location could otherwise have been challenging.
The rescuer will continue to keep an eye out for the badger whenever they can. Although the hope is that the badger will quickly settle back into its normal routine and remain largely unseen, having someone familiar with the area keeping watch provides valuable reassurance.
The successful release marks a positive end to what could have been a much more difficult situation for this particular badger. From being found trapped between houses and suffering bites to its tail and head, to receiving nine days of treatment at Secret World Wildlife Rescue and finally returning to the woods above Dawlish, its journey has involved care, patience and a great deal of local support.
Returning a wild animal to the right place is an important part of the rehabilitation process. Every effort is made to establish where an animal is likely to have come from before it is released. For a badger, returning to its own territory and familiar sett is particularly important, which is why identifying the correct location is such a vital part of the process. This release is a lovely reminder of the importance of working together to help our local wildlife. It also demonstrates the difference that can be made when members of the public, local knowledge and wildlife rescue professionals work together with the welfare of the animal as the priority.
A huge thank you goes to everyone involved in helping this badger along the way, particularly Secret World Wildlife Rescue for providing its vital treatment and care, and the rescuer for their invaluable local knowledge, assistance on the evening and continued support.
For now, the badger is back where it belongs, in the woods above Dawlish. From the moment it was released, it seemed to know exactly where it was and where it needed to go. We hope it settles back into life in the wild and continues to thrive in the woodland it calls home.
Devon Badger Group - 24/7 helpline 07850 604585 - PLEASE PHONE, DO NOT TEXT 