Patch’s autobiography
My name’s Patch, on account that I have a bald patch on my flank from those nurses at the vets at J.A.C. Kew & Partners of Harlow in Essex. I am 3 months old. I'm resting up at Derek's, you know him, the badger man from Uttlesford Badger Group, he's the one holding me with those gloves on. He has to wear them as I give him a nip every time he picks me up to change my bedding. Well, I have to keep him on his toes don't I?
He keeps putting a silly badger toy in my cage to keep me company. I don't like it, I've scared it off now with my mock attacks and bites. It's gone now, I am now on my own. Not keen on the food he keeps giving me. Menu: Dog food, Chicken, Peanut butter sandwiches and Custard cream biscuits. I like the biscuits. Apart from the latter, he is taking good care of me after that Lurcher got hold of me and sunk his teeth into my flank and leg. I am doing ok.
Now he has given me a black and white rubber ball to play with - it’s got custard cream biscuits inside, great fun chasing this all over the floor. He has put this very large seed tray filled with dirt where I am staying. He thinks I am going to do my poo in that, oh no, I will dig me a sett entrance!
I miss my mum and brothers and sisters, I will never see them again now. I am off on Sunday evening 18th May travelling down to Secret World Wildlife Centre in Somerset. I am due to meet up with some orphaned cubs; we will have something in common won't we, only difference is, I am not an orphan!
I will eventually be released with my new family but only when I grow up a bit and a new artificial sett has been constructed for us by another badger group somewhere within the UK.
Patch playing with a ball:
Video copyright 2009 Derek Barry
