BT badger with paw on tree looking direct to camera AdobeStock_176950965 (1)_edited.jpg

Living with Badgers

Whilst badgers are one of the most persecuted native species in Britain, the good news is that there is space for badgers and humans to live sustainably, side by side. If we take positive steps to value badgers as equally deserving of a safe home, food, and space to roam, we can create a sustainable future for badgers and humans to thrive.

Anthropogenic (human-induced) activity is the leading cause of species decline in Britain, and badgers are no exception. So how do we safeguard our beloved Brock? What can we do to ensure we can live sustainably alongside them?

Living with Badgers Guide

Badgers are iconic mammals, and we are lucky to have them around in this country. Small changes in perspective and simple actions go a long way towards sustainable and friendly human-badger co-existence.

Badger Trust’s ‘Living with Badgers’ guide is for anyone interested in badger-human co-existence, including those of us who may currently be experiencing unwelcomed encounters with badgers.

Read our living with badgers guide

badger looking out from woodland vegetation

Responsible badger watching

Whilst badgers are one of the most iconic native species in Britain, their nocturnal nature makes them rather elusive ! However, there are several ways to get to know your neighbourhood badgers. By watching badgers, your love and appreciation of our humble brock will surely grow!

Learn more about responsible badger watching

Why are badgers protected in the UK?

Badgers are a protected species because of the excessive levels of cruelty they face. In 1992, the Protection of Badgers Act (PBA) gave badgers across the UK unrivalled protection. The National Federation of Badger Groups (precursor to Badger Trust), was instrumental in bringing this legislation to fruition.

Unlike most native wildlife protections in Britain, the Protection of Badgers Act was initiated due to the unprecedented levels of species-targeted persecution faced by these unassuming nocturnal mammals. Thus, the Protection of Badgers Act is concerned with animal welfare as a priority, compared with the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 which focuses more explicitly on wildlife conservation.

Additional legal protection is sometimes provided by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and the Hunting Act 2004. Badgers are also listed in Appendix III of the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats.

Learn why badgers are protected

Planning, Development and Badgers

The rapid rise of property and road development across England and Wales means that Planning and Development now represent one of the most significant risks to local badger populations. However, badgers and their setts are protected by law, and the Protection of Badgers Act (1992) strictly prohibits any malicious or negligent act which disturbs badgers or their homes (setts).

How can you make a positive impact for badgers and safeguard their future in the face of increasing development?

Our free guides will help you protect them from harm and avoid long-term problems: Guide for Developers, Guide for Individuals (if you plan to develop on your land), Guide for Badger Champions and Guide for Badger Groups.

Your Guide to Planning and Development

Badgers in Britain

Badgers have called Britain their home for 250,000 years [3], living alongside humans and other native plants and animals for all that time. So badgers once co-existed with wolves, brown bears, arctic foxes, and wolverines, all of which once roamed Britain! Today’s badgers are now Britain's largest land predator.

Their long history in Britain makes badgers a key part of our natural heritage. The cultural significance of badgers can be traced through place names throughout the nation – have you ever strolled along a Badger Way or ambled down Brock Lane?

Badgers are members of the family Mustelidae, which includes otters, wolverines, polecats, ferrets, martens, weasels, and mink [1]. Unlike mink — which were introduced to the United Kingdom in 1929 as livestock for the fur trade and soon escaped becoming an invasive species [2] — badgers are native to Britain.

There are 11 species of badgers [4], though only one, the European badger (Meles meles), is found in Britain. As their name implies, the European badger has a wide distribution across Europe [5], and it was from Europe that badgers dispersed into Britain in the Middle Paleolithic era [6]. Although badgers in Britain and Europe belong to the same species, badgers in Britain differ from their relatives in Europe in four fundamental ways:

Badgers in Britain live in large social groups of up to 30 individuals [7], although clan sizes of 4-6 individuals are more common. Elsewhere in Europe, badgers tend to live in pairs [8], with larger social groups typically exceeding no more than four individuals [9].
Badgers in Britain have a polygynandrous (multi-male and multi-female) mating system [10].
Badgers in Britain have a diet high in earthworms, which are not as readily available elsewhere in Europe [11].
Badgers in Britain are highly social animals. They have a much wider range of social behaviours compared to their European counterparts [12].

Badgers in unusual places

Badgers injured in fights sometimes retreat to places where they can rest and recover in peace, free from the attentions of would-be aggressors. Perfectly healthy badgers can also turn up in outhouses which appear to be a good place to spend the day. Barns, garden sheds, corners of gardens, and spaces under patios are often chosen.

Badgers found in buildings should, wherever possible, be assessed by an experienced individual, ideally by contacting your local badger group. Any ugly-looking bite wounds to their necks or rear quarters will often recover very quickly without intervention, but should always be assessed by someone with specific knowledge who can then decide if the animal can be left of its own accord, or if it may need to be checked by a vet.

Rescuing injured badgers

If you find a badger either in unnatural surroundings or above ground during daylight hours, it may be injured or unwell. Do not attempt to approach the animal, but seek expert help as soon as possible if you are concerned. Frightened animals may bite in self-defence. Trained wildlife rehabilitators, RSPCA inspectorate, and experienced members of badger groups have the skill and experience to approach, handle and make badgers safe in secure carrying cages, so please wait until they arrive at the site.

The ‘Badger Rehabilitation Protocol’ is a published guide that should be used when dealing with badger rescue and rehabilitation. Initially produced as a collaboration between Secret World Wildlife Rescue, RSPCA and Badger Trust in 2003, it was comprehensively updated in 2018 by Dr Elizabeth Mullineaux, a recognised specialist in wildlife medicine (mammals), at the prompt of the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) in 2018. Badger rescue should not be attempted without expert help.

Always remember that badgers and their setts are protected by law, and in many circumstances, a licence is needed prior to any action that is likely to cause the animals or their home disturbance or risk doing so. We recommend contacting your local badger group where possible in the first instance for help.

If you do not have a local group, try to contact your local wildlife rescue, the RSPCA or call Badger Trust on 01273 033440 to see if we can find another option. Please note as a small charity the phone line is not staffed 24 hours, and only Monday to Friday during office hours. If we are not able to take your call and it is urgent please contact the RSPCA.

Road Traffic Collisions

Every year, an estimated 50,000 badgers are killed on our roads. Badger Trust collates reports of road traffic casualties to identify hot spots where mitigation should be placed or identify new setts. Please report fatalities to Badger Trust. Occasionally the prompt investigation of road traffic collisions reveals the presence of orphaned cubs nearby.

Read more about our Give Badgers a Brake campaign and how you can keep badgers safe on our roads.

Feeding badgers

Badger Trust does not recommend feeding badgers. You may enjoy attracting badgers but this could be problematic for others in your neighbourhood. If you feel like you must feed them in severe weather, when natural resources are in question, a small handful of peanuts will suffice. In times of drought, we suggest you put out water and covered cat biscuits (to prevent flies and other animals) rather than peanuts. Just like with dogs and cats, human foods are not healthy.

COVID-19 Guidance for the public and those who regularly feed badgers in their garden.

We would like to stress that, at present, there is no risk of catching COVID-19 from our wildlife – although some domestic pets and mink (in Denmark) have tested positive for the disease. However, it is vital that we do not pass SARS-CoV-2 to badgers and other wildlife.

Please follow our general guidelines if you regularly encounter badgers:

If you feel unwell do not go out surveying or feed wild animals.
Stay at least 2 metres away from badger setts and other animal dens – if this is not possible, wear a mask.

If you feed badgers in your garden please follow the guidance below to prevent possible transmission of COVID-19 via food and equipment (dishes, etc.):

Wash hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds and use disposable or washable gloves before handling food or equipment
Keep any equipment (e.g. dishes, knives, chopping boards) separate to other kitchen equipment and ensure that it is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before and after use.
Where possible, avoid handling food directly – use a scoop or similar and ensure it is cleaned thoroughly and disinfected before and after use and wash fruit or vegetables.
Wear a mask when preparing and putting out food
Do not feed animals by hand
If you come across an injured badger, you should avoid physical contact and call an expert (either your local badger group, wildlife rescue or the RSPCA).

Thank you for considering wildlife and protecting them from any risk of transmission. For anyone working with free-ranging wild animals, read our dedicated COVID-19 guidance for groups and see WHSG and OIE guidance.

Notes

Miller, E.R. and Fowler, M.E. eds., 2014. Fowler's Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine, Volume 8 (Vol. 8). Elsevier Health Sciences. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9781455773978000487
Martin, A.R. and Lea, V.J., 2020. A mink free GB: perspectives on eradicating American mink Neovison vison from Great Britain and its islands. Mammal Review, 50(2), pp.170-179.
Marmi, J., Lopez Giraldez, F., Macdonald, D.W., Calafell, F., Zholnerovskaya, E. and Domingo Roura, X., 2006. Mitochondrial DNA reveals a strong phylogeographic structure in the badger across Eurasia. Molecular Ecology, 15(4), pp.1007-1020.
Badgers, Wildlife Online: https://www.wildlifeonline.me.uk/animals/group/badgers
Kranz, A., Abramov, A.V., Herrero, J. & Maran, T. 2016. Meles meles. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T29673A45203002. https://www.iucnredlist.org/fr/species/29673/45203002
Marmi, J., Lopez Giraldez, F., Macdonald, D.W., Calafell, F., Zholnerovskaya, E. and Domingo‐Roura, X., 2006. Mitochondrial DNA reveals a strong phylogeographic structure in the badger across Eurasia. Molecular Ecology, 15(4), pp.1007-1020.
Stewart, P.D., 1997. The social behaviour of the European badger: Meles meles (Doctoral dissertation, University of Oxford).
Revilla, E. and Palomares, F., 2002. Spatial organization, group living and ecological correlates in low density populations of Eurasian badgers, Meles meles. Journal of Animal Ecology, 71(3), pp.497-512.
Silva, M., Rosalino, L.M., Alcobia, S. and Santos-Reis, M., 2021. Sett Use, Density and Breeding Phenology of Badgers in Mediterranean Agro-Sylvo-Pastoral Systems. Animals, 11(9), p.2663.
Johnson, D.D., 2001. Models of coexistence, conflict and cooperation (Doctoral dissertation, University of Oxford).
Neal, E.G. and Cheeseman, C.L., 1996. Badgers. T & AD Poyser.
Stopka, P. and Johnson, D.D., 2000. Badger (Meles meles) as a model species for the development of ecological and behavioural research. Lynx, 31(2), pp.125-131.

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Your donation will help preserve badgers and their habitats for generations to come.

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