THIS cute badger cub is an animal welfare success story which began in Weymouth.

The RSPCA is celebrating after helping the tiny animal – which was found alone and crying in an Upwey garden – on the road to recovery after receiving one to one care from staff.

It comes as a wildlife centre looking after sick and injured animals from across Dorset announces a huge increase in admissions of badger cubs, a statistic which is being blamed on the prolonged dry weather.

The cub was just six weeks old and very sick when it was discovered last month in a garden near the Ridgeway.

Residents who called the RSPCA confined it under a crate until an officer arrived and took it into the care of the organisation’s West Hatch Wildlife Centre.

The facility near Taunton in Somerset is devoted to the rehabilitation and release of injured and displaced wildlife casualties.

Due to the badger’s small size, animal welfare officer Dudley Clements was able to pick him up with his hands.

It was feared the badger had injured his leg but he was just underweight and poorly.

Staff also realised that his teeth were not well developed which together with his size indicated that he had been born slightly later in the season and would need to be fed with a mixture of milk and solid food.

Following several days of hand-rearing and dedicated round the clock care, the badger began to respond.

And after more than a month in RSPCA care he has been introduced into a group of other badger cubs and will be ready for release in August.

Manager of the West Hatch Wildlife Centre Peter Venn said: “This was a very small and sick badger which had obviously been a late birth.

“We weren’t sure whet-her he would pull through at first but once he began to feed and his blood test results were clear we mixed him with other badgers and he is making a great recovery.”

Mr Venn revealed the cub was just one of 24 admitted to the centre during the first five months of this year.

This is an increase of 14 compared to the same period last year.

Mr Venn said: “We aren’t sure why we have taken in so many more cubs, but it could be that the very dry weather has made it more difficult for the smaller badgers to find water and food.”

The RSPCA has advice for people who come across young animals.

Mr Venn said: “Anyone concerned about a sick or injured animal can call the RSPCA 24-hour cruelty line on 0300 1234 999.”