Badger-like creature later let loose (5)
I believe the answer is:
ratel
'badger-like creature' is the definition.
(ratels are badger-like animals)
'later let loose' is the wordplay.
'let loose' indicates an anagram.
'later' anagrammed gives 'RATEL'.
(Other definitions for ratel that I've seen before include "Honey-badger" , "animal like a badger" , "Musteline mammal" , "predator" , "creature with sweet tooth" .)