Two badgers stranded on a tiny strip of land in the middle of the flooded Somerset Levels have been rescued by wildlife carers this week.
The two animals, named Storm and Noah by carers, were retrieved by a team from Secret World Wildlife Rescue on Monday.
Four badgers were reported stranded on a small strip of land surrounded by deep flood water near Westonzoyland.
Secret World was called out late on Sunday afternoon but due to fading light was unable to reach the animals.
On Monday Secret World’s Operations Manager Simon Kidner and a volunteer, Steve Perks, went out in a boat to reach the badgers.
Two of the badgers swam away, but two were rescued. Despite searching the area, no sign of the two missing badgers was found and carers believe they drowned due to the poor condition of the two who were rescued, both of whom were exhausted and starving.
Noah and Storm are now in a warm casualty pen at Secret World in East Huntspill under a heat lamp with food available to them.
Founder Pauline Kidner said: “They have been without food for so long and were sodden and cold. Thankfully Simon and Steve were prepared to attempt a rescue despite the conditions.”
“We are very concerned that so few wild animals have been found which is why it is so important that we help the survivors. We also don’t know what effects there will be with such a large area flooded where small mammals and hibernating insects will have drowned.”
“With little foraging available to so many species, there will be a huge reductions of wildlife surviving into the rest of the year. At least Storm and Noah are warm, safe and dry.”
The strip of land surrounded by flood water from where the badgers were rescued
