Another suspected Badger Poisoning on the Isle of Wight

When rescuers arrived at a horse paddock on the Isle of Wight yesterday afternoon, they found a female badger convulsing in agony. The poison had ravaged her system so completely that vets had no choice but to end her suffering. She’s the third badger poisoned in the area in less than a month.

Badger Trust is concerned that a third badger has been poisoned in the same area, indicating a deliberate pattern of wildlife persecution that’s escalating rapidly.

Izzi from Vectis Equine Vets found the distressed badger and stayed with her, keeping the dying animal company until the Isle of Wight Badger Group arrived.

Friends of Animals rushed her to Carisbrooke Vets, but it was already too late. The poison had taken effect. For her welfare, the vets decided to end her suffering by putting her to sleep.

The crisis has been escalating for months. In January, toxicology results finally arrived, eight months after the Isle of Wight Badger Group sent a frozen badger to Natural England's Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme (WIIS) last May.

The results confirmed what rescuers feared: rodenticide poisoning. That badger was the second found in the area within three weeks. The first was discovered dead inside a water pumping station. Now, with yesterday’s victim, the count is three.

WIIS is currently conducting further tests to identify the source of the poison and establish whether it was intentionally administered. Police and investigators are collaborating closely, and both agencies have committed to sharing updates as the case develops.

WIIS also confirmed what rescuers already knew: the badger tested negative for TB, debunking any claim that disease control justified the poisoning.

If you suspect a wildlife crime, contact the police on 101. If you see a crime happening, call 999 immediately. Local Badger groups are also available to assist. Sharing information may prevent future poisonings. Badgers need witnesses willing to come forward.

Graham Lee from the Isle of Wight Badger Group said:

This looks very much like deliberate poisoning. We’ve reported it to both the police and WIIS at Natural England

Once again, we’ll likely need to transport her to the mainland for testing, as WIIS struggled to deliver a refrigerated van to the island last time. In the coming days, we’ll be canvassing the area and talking to dog walkers. Residents need to know.

The Isle of Wight Badger Group plans to post regular updates on our social media and the local community board. If you live in Whitwell, stay alert for anything suspicious or sick wildlife. If you walk your dogs there, keep them close and keep them safe.

If you have any information, no matter how small it may seem, please send us a confidential message through our page (Badger Trust Isle of Wight). We’ll pass it directly to the authorities. Someone knows something. These poisonings will only stop when witnesses come forward.

If you suspect badger persecution:

🦡Do NOT approach the suspects.

🦡Record details safely (location, time, vehicles).

🦡Take images only if it is safe to do so.

🦡Report it immediately to the Police (999 in progress / 101 after the event)

🦡 Report to Badger Trust using our reporting app or online at badgertrust.org.uk/report

You can learn more about badger crime here.