A badger has died after getting stuck in a "humane trap". Warning: This article contains distressing pictures.

East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service had to have the badger euthanised after he was caught in a rabbit trap in Sussex and injured.

The wild animal suffered from a head wound, as well as broken claws where he had been scratching to try and free himself.

This meant the bones in his claw were exposed and at "huge risk" of infection.

The extent of the damage to his claws also meant that if they grew back, they would be "deformed" and he would struggle in the wild.

The Argus: His claws were badly injured

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The wildlife rescue service has now reminded people to monitor their traps to make sure other animals have not been caught and trapped, including cats.

A spokesman for the East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service said: "Setting a humane trap is only humane if it is monitored properly.

The Argus: His claws were so damaged that he would be at a disadvantage in the wild

"When setting a humane trap you have a responsibility to regularly monitor that trap for anything that may become caught.

"Please take this case as a reminder that if you are setting humane traps because you don't want to hurt the intended species, you must remember to check them regularly, and remember that other wildlife (or someone's cat) may also become trapped.

"Had the trap been monitored closely, the badger could have been quickly released to carry on their business with little to no suffering."