Our Autumn '25 Cubs Release
Folly Wildlife Rescue Centre were in need of a safe release site for a double clan of cubs which they had so devotedly rehabilitated this drought year. Most of the original rescues had been undertaken by WKBG field officers when each cub was still very young, many needing home-rearing with foster families around Tunbridge Wells, before going to Folly once weaned.
The cubs’ rehabilitation was not without some torrid health challenges, but finally, after a very comprehensive programme of veterinary support at Folly, they were ready to leave, and a disused sett at a suitable release site for nine almost fully grown cubs, was free once more. The nine, named for musical characters (Oliver, Joseph, Elphaba included), weighing in very healthily at 8 months old, were carefully transported there by the Folly team on 21st October, for a dusk release.
Carrying a 12.5 kg badger in a cage up a 1:7 steep hill is quite demanding- then multiply that by 9! The cubs needed time to familiarise themselves with new scents, and we needed a rest.
We all whispered messages of peace and hope to the cubs, especially those we’d each personally carried up, and then the next demanding part of the operation got under way.
Despite this sett having been successful in the past, we were on absolute tenterhooks…it’s never possible to predict whether released badgers will go underground, or just scatter and disappear rapidly over the horizon, never to be seen again!
Each was carefully guided from their cage individually into the “pen” around an entrance hole to the extensive sett (the cubs were too large in size and number for the usual Folly release box use). One or two puffed themselves up massively in excitement at the prospect of freedom.
Hannah Hall, Folly Director, and Maddie, Meghan, Phil and Jeff, Folly Volunteers.
But to everyone’s immense relief, after hours of incredibly hard work (particularly by the Folly team, who’d had to cage and load up each cub before they set off to their new home), seven of the nine disappeared down the hole inside our straw bale pen, emerging at other holes nearby. The other two finally moved down other entrances, after a little inquisitive exploration in the woodland. Leaving a good supply of support feed and water, we crept away.
As darkness fell, some badgers were happily exploring their new habitat!
Marvellously, they are now fully settled in, five weeks later, with the trail cameras evidencing joyous playfulness and huge amounts of foraging. They are widening sett entrances, using a great many holes, and making paths through the woodland in so many directions, fantastic to observe.
Spirits Rest, a Dartford animal sanctuary, has generously donated dog food comprising the entire support feed thus far, vital while the cubs develop their full foraging expertise, now rewilded.
WKBG have generously approved funding for further daily support feeding for a period, as required. This support will gradually be decreased, with regard to weather and eating habits, until we know that the nine are fully self-sufficient.
We cannot thank Folly enough for their incredible provision, without which WKBG rescuers would have no Kent rehabilitation opportunity for rescued cubs to be nursed back to health, gifted a new clan, and prepared for successful releases each year, together.
None of these nine beautiful animals would be alive now without the combined teamwork of WKBG and Folly.
- Babs Bartholomew
More potential release sites, within striking distance of Folly, are being actively sought for late Summer/Autumn 2026; please contact Hannah Hall, Folly Director, for eligibility criteria, if you have potential sites in mind: 01892 543213.
Folly Wildlife Rescue are in of need donations, incl. animal feed, throughout the Winter.
Please see their webpage: www.fwrt.org.uk where their Christmas Shop can be found.
Folly Wildlife Rescue, The Broadwater Forest Wildlife Hospital, Fairview Ln, Tunbridge Wells, TN3 9LU
