A badger who became trapped down a hole has been rescued by officers from an animal welfare charity.
The Scottish SPCA helped the female animal which became stuck in what looked like a mine ventilation shaft or old well in Bonnyrigg, Midlothian.
The badger, who was named Babushka by the officer who rescued her, was found by an observant member of the public.
John Stevenson was walking his dog in the former mining village on Saturday December 10. He alerted the animal charity after coming across the badger which was unable to climb out of the hole.
He initially created a ramp made from branches to try and rescue her but was unable to help free her.
Animal experts were finally able to capture her using a harness and she has since been released again into the wild.
Inspector Stephanie McCrossan said: "Mr Stevenson had tried to make a ramp with lots of branches to enable the badger to free herself but the drop was too steep, so we eventually got a ladder to reach her.
"I was able to catch her very easily and she managed to survive her ordeal unscathed.
"Due to her being so fit and healthy, I was able to release her straight back into the wild, where she can roam freely."
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