Common Name: Badger
Scientific Name: Taxidea taxus
Gender: Female
Birth Date: Summer 20007
History: On January 24, 2008, the Nevada Department of Wildlife received a call from a store at Harmon Junction, east of Fallon to report a badger was on the premises. Biologist Jenny Jeffers drove to the site to find a juvenile, 9 pound badger that appeared to have been struck by a car. Due to head injury and trauma, the animal was taken to wildlife rehabilitator Evelyn Pickles. Over the next 11 weeks she received excellent care to bring her health back for hopeful release back into the wild. As time went on, it became obvious this young badger was suffering from neurological problems which were demonstrated by lack of control over her left rear paw. There were also times when she seemed confused, although this was improving. Other than these issues, she seemed happy, content and had a good appetite. Since she was not a release candidate, Animal Ark was contacted for permanent care. The Ark’s very first badger arrived on April 11, 2008. She was named Beatrix after Beatrix Potter, the conservationist and author of Children’s books.