A BADGER needed a helping hand after falling into an empty, freshly-painted swimming pool on the Isle of Wight. 

RSPCA rescuer Kane Goodyear was called to the home in Ryde after the badger was found yesterday morning (March 23).

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Kane said: “Workmen were refurbishing the pool, so it had been drained and freshly painted.

“We believe the badger had fallen into the pool overnight, and workers found him huddled up in the corner of the empty 5ft-deep pool when they returned to work the following morning.

“He’d curled up in a shaded corner of the pool, out of the sunshine, but was clearly very frightened and confused. 

“Thankfully, he was uninjured, but he did have some white paint on his fur!

“We climbed into the pool, and my colleague, inspector Hannah Nixon, helped me corral him into the basket where we could check him over, clean him up and release him in the undergrowth nearby.”

Isle of Wight County Press: Picture courtesy of RSPCA Isle of Wight.Picture courtesy of RSPCA Isle of Wight.

Swimming pools can be hazardous to pets and wild animals, so the RSPCA urges any homeowners with swimming pools or ponds to build a little ramp, slope the edges or use stones as steps to allow any wildlife which should fall in to climb out.

If you see a wild animal in distress, sick or injured, keep your distance and contact the RSPCA’s emergency hotline on 0300 1234 999 for advice.

  • See video below of RSPCA Isle of Wight staff releasing the badger. Courtesy of RSPCA Isle of Wight.