A WILDLIFE centre came to the rescue when a raccoon dog, missing from a local zoo, was brought in.

Tanuki the raccoon dog was taken from her home at Tropiquaria on Saturday.

And she was found the next day by a member of the public about half a mile away from the zoo. She was taken to Secret World at East Huntspill who took her home later that day.

Zoo director Chris Moiser discovered her missing on Saturday morning.

There was substantial damage to a wire panel on the cage complex where she was kept.

Mr Moiser said: “We are so pleased to have her back and have now placed her in a different enclosure while we assess her condition. Although she appears fit and well at present we cannot be sure what she has eaten while out, or what she wild animal diseases she may have come into contact with.

“Clearly releasing an animal like this during the badger cull period is an act of crass stupidity and could have led to the death of the animal. We are fortunate that it didn’t.”

Police are investigating the situation and anyone with information should contact them by calling 101 and quoting incident number 94947/14.