'Remarkably lucky' badger and cub rescued from 10 foot shaft

The pair are recovering in an RSPCA rescue centre before being released into the wild. Credit: PA

A badger and her cub have been rescued after falling down a 10ft-deep drainage shaft.

The mother and baby were sniffed out by a dog and its owner walking in a field near Knutsford in Cheshire.

A complex rescue saw the Wirral and West Cheshire Badger Group call in the RSPCA for help.

A special pole was used to scoop the mother and baby out of the shaft. Credit: PA

The RSPCA said it was "remarkable" the pair had been discovered, because the location was so remote.

It was difficult because the badgers were so deep in the drainage shaft. They must have been walking along at night and simply fallen in. I had a specialist pole which I used to first scoop up the cub and then eventually I managed to get the sow, but this was difficult as she was so exhausted she wasn't moving much.

Animal collection officer Emma Dwan
It's not known how long the badgers had been down the shaft. Credit: PA

The pair have now been taken to a wildlife centre for rest and rehabilitation before being returned to the wild.