Badger Trust celebrates new badger groups in England and Wales

Badger Trust Staff Team
Jul 28, 2022
3 min read

Ceredigion and North East Hampshire badger groups form to protect badgers

Today Badger Trust celebrates two badger groups formed in 2022 – Ceredigion Badger Group in mid-Wales and North East Hampshire Badger Group in Southern England. They now join a network of over 50 affiliated volunteer-led badger groups across the country working hard to protect badgers – rescuing orphaned badger cubs and badgers in need, recording and protecting setts, and campaigning for better protection for badgers.

Peter Hambly, Executive Director of Badger Trust, commented,

“It’s a great day for badgers when England and Wales have new groups; local groups are where on-the-ground support for badgers happens.”

“Volunteers in Ceredigion and North East Hampshire are on the front line of helping badgers, and, with Badger Trust, form a great support network and advocate for badgers. Well done to Ceredigion Badger Group and North East Hampshire Badger Group and welcome to the Badger Trust clan!”

Welcome to the clan - mother and three badger cubs in woodland ferns

Ceredigion Badger Group

Tom Kearney, Chair of Ceredigion Badger Group, commented:

“Within just over six months following the formation of the Ceredigion Badger Group, we have a web page, various social media accounts, published two ‘bumper’ newsletters and organised sett surveys and local events. We also have an emergency response team for injured badgers. This has all been possible because of the amazing and dedicated people who have joined us.”

We have been heartened by people from across Ceredigion and beyond who have expressed a passion for our local badgers and the need to protect them.”

North East Hampshire Badger Group

Nick Cole, Chair of North East Hampshire Badger Group, commented:

“With constant pressure from planning developments, continued illegal persecution, and the cull's arrival in Hampshire, something had to be done to support the welfare of badgers in this area.”

“We've chosen to tackle the problems head-on, formed a group from scratch and are determined to make a difference. Badger Trust's been hugely supportive, as have our neighbouring Groups, and we're delighted with the progress we've already made."

A network of volunteer-led badger groups across England and Wales

Badger Trust works with a network of affiliated volunteer-led badger groups across England and Wales to protect badgers. Badger Groups across the country are a tremendous asset in helping badgers and can carry out many of the following activities:

Sett surveying, recording and monitoring: this can help safeguard setts, monitor them for interference, and provide information to inform planning and development proposals. It can also be a great way to watch badgers!
Rescuing and facilitating the rehabilitation of injured or orphaned badgers: this is often carried out in conjunction with local wildlife rescues (and in accordance with the Badger Rehabilitation Protocol)
Responding to threats to badgers, their setts and habitats: this could include activity like monitoring setts known to be under threat and liaising with local police or other interested parties, or responding to road traffic collisions where a badger could still be helped, or there may be orphaned cubs
Advising landowners, statutory agencies and others concerning the lawful management of badger-related problems
Delivering assistance to the RSPCA, Police and other responsible authorities on badger-related matters
Giving talks and running events about the lives of badgers, the threats they face and the work of the local badger group. This helps to educate and engage the public and local community on local and national badger issues
Supporting Badger Trust national campaigns at a local level