An electrocuted badger has made a miracle recovery after surviving a 25,000 volt shock while straying on to a live railway.
The 12kg badger was blown through the air away from a section of the District Line near Wimbledon Park Station last week and spotted by commuters lying motionless, yards from the tracks.
Vets were astonished to find signs of life after volunteers rushed the badger to one of the country’s leading animal hospitals in Wallington where his heart was stabilised and he underwent emergency surgery.
Founder of the Riverside Animal Centre in Church Road, Ted Burden, said: “It’s amazing that the badger survived such a massive electric shock in the first place.
“That voltage should have killed him instantly but his foot must have clipped the live rail and he was literally thrown clear.”
After several hours controlling the badger’s heart, he was operated on to rebuild layers of tissues on his foot so that he can be released back into the wild.
Mr Burden added: “It’s painstaking and costly work but it will ensure the badger’s survival and the animal is making a remarkable recovery. We’re currently liaising with local ecology officers to organise its release at a safe, undisclosed location.”
The final bill incurred by the hospital, that relies on donations, is expected to reach £800.
To find out more or make a donation, visit riversideanimalcentre.org
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