A giant willow badger at The Welsh Wildlife Centre at Cilgerran has been targeted by vandals.
Staff arriving for work following the Christmas break found that the badger, named Helyg, constructed by local artist Michelle Cain, had been damaged.
Holes were hacked in the structure.
It is the latest blow to befall the conservation centre following the total destruction of the popular Kingfisher hide back in September.
The observational hide was completely destroyed in an arson attack leading staff to warn that the very future of the reserve was at risk.
They subsequently set up a fundraising appeal after estimating it will cost around £20,000 to replace the hide with a fire-resistant structure.
A spokesperson for the Wildlife Trust pledged that the damage to the badger would be repaired.
“He is here 24/7 for all to enjoy so please help us to take good care of him,” she added.
Police say they are stepping up patrols in a bid to combat the attacks.