Across England, soccer fields — or football pitches — are everywhere. On most days, they’re filled with players, laughter, and the rhythmic thud of a ball.
But sometimes, the fields attract unexpected visitors who aren’t quite as skilled at getting back out again.
That’s exactly what happened recently in East Sussex, when a passerby noticed something small and furry struggling inside a loose soccer net.
The East Sussex Wildlife Rescue & Ambulance Service (WRAS) rushed to the scene and found a young badger completely trapped — his tiny paws and body hopelessly twisted in the netting.
“This youngster had become well and truly tangled in a football net,” WRAS later shared on Facebook.
Rescuers carefully transported the frightened animal to their wildlife hospital. There, the vet team gently sedated him so they could safely begin cutting through the net strands wrapped tightly around his body.
One by one, the fibers fell away — and soon, the rescuers uncovered the sweetest little face staring back at them.
When the badger finally woke up, he blinked his big dark eyes at his rescuers, seemingly realizing he was safe at last.
Despite a sore leg, he was otherwise healthy. The WRAS team treated his injury, gave him plenty of food and rest, and watched him steadily regain his strength.
Before long, the lively little badger was ready to go home. Rescuers returned him to the same area where he’d been found — this time free, strong, and ready to roam again.
“It wasn’t long before he was fully recovered, and he was returned back to where he was found,” WRAS wrote.
The rescue team is urging people to help prevent this from happening to other animals.
“Please, if you have a football goal, tie the netting up above ground level,” they advised. “That way, wildlife can safely pass underneath without getting caught.”
Thanks to a quick call for help — and a team of rescuers who refused to give up — one little badger got a second chance to play on his own field of dreams.
