More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
The death of a rare albino badger has sparked calls for late-night motorists to slow down.
The creature, which resembles a mini polar bear, was found this morning in Woolley Road, Senacre, Maidstone – the second death in almost exactly the same spot in the past year.
In April and May badgers are very hungry and with young mouths to feed venture out on frequent foraging excursions at night, seeking worms, small mammals, nuts and berries.
The enigmatic black and white mammals number more around 350,000 in the UK, according to the last official count, making the British Isles the badger hotspot of Europe.
But those lacking any pigment – caused by a genetic quirk – are extremely rare. While more common Erythristic badgers are also white, they have a reddy brown pigment in place of the usual black stripes.
The latest casualty, found just yards from its woodland sett, was completely white.
A resident said: "Cars tear down this stretch in the early hours and may not even see them crossing.
"There are quite a few in the woods that make their way across the road during the night.
"Accidents happen but you'd like to think with a bit more care they might happen less."
Escaped animals, unusual finds and news from the RSPCA can all be found here.
