Badger Trust questions ‘Night Coppers’ on handling of suffering badger

Statement by Badger Trust concerning the handling of an injured badger in Channel 4’s ‘Night Coppers’ TV programme

Badger Trust was extremely disappointed by the recent footage shown on Channel 4’s ‘Night Coppers’ TV programme where police responded to an injured badger. Aired on Tuesday, 19th July, the programme documented a team of police on patrol who encountered an injured badger at the side of a road. In an attempt to aid the badger, police officers at the scene moved the badger to a nearby field to avoid being hit by oncoming traffic. The team then left the badger and continued on patrol.

Badger Trust appreciates the many viewers who took to social media to raise their concerns for the badger’s welfare and the police officers’ handling of the incident. The 'Night Coppers' programme highlights the continued need for wildlife training for police officers, and Badger Trust has contacted the police force involved to ask for this issue to be reviewed internally. Police have a responsibility toward animals and humans, and should never leave an animal to suffer regardless of whether it is a domestic or wild animal.

Badgers are the most frequent casualty on British roads, with an estimated 50,000 badgers killed by road traffic collision every year. Badgers have an instinctual desire to follow the same travel path, even after a road has been created. Having reviewed the footage after a series of complaints emerged about the scene on social media and in the news, Badger Trust believes that the badger in the ‘Night Coppers’ programme was one such victim, one which required immediate veterinary assistance.

Although the act was performed with good intention, it is highly unlikely that the badger will have survived without proper rescue. Without veterinary care, the badger’s suffering will have needlessly continued. Badger Trust is grateful to the many supporters who contacted the charity with their concerns. It is vitally important that the public continue to raise awareness of wildlife protection so that we can all work together to protect the iconic badger.

Badger Trust works closely with police across England and Wales to deliver training on badger crime response. To date, 42 of 43 police forces have received wildlife crime training, and Badger Trust will be developing this training to include what to do when encountering injured badgers. A badger in need should be treated humanely.

What to do if you encounter an injured badger

As nocturnal animals, badgers are rarely seen by the public. If you do encounter a badger, it is important that you recognise their needs, to keep you and them safe. Here are some helpful tips on what to do if you encounter a badger in need of assistance:

Behaviour

The first thing you should do if you encounter a badger is to visually assess their behaviour. Badgers are wild animals who do not typically engage with humans. So, if the badger does not leave when they notice your presence, then they may be injured.

Do not attempt to approach the animal, but seek expert help as soon as possible if you are concerned. 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.

Location

The location of the badger should give you a good indication of the cause of the badger’s situation. If the badger is motionless by the side of a road then it is likely that the badger has been hit by a vehicle and could be suffering from spinal and internal injuries and is in need of rescue.

The summer months can be particularly challenging for badgers as the ground can be too hard to forage and water can be difficult to find. If the badger is alone and out in daylight and is not near a road, it may be dehydrated and in need of rescue.

Rescue

If you see a badger and you’re worried it may be in distress, contact your local Badger Group or local wildlife rescue for help and advice. Badger Trust has an affiliated network of over 50 local badger groups, all run by volunteers and all working to deliver services to help badgers on the ground. This ‘badger army’ is a lifeline for badgers, as the volunteers who give their time and energy to provide services help and often save badgers – here and now.

If you believe the badger is expressing signs of injury or ill health (motionless, not leaving the scene, accepting of human presence) and there is not a badger group in operation in your area, then your local wildlife rescue must be contacted in urgency.

Whilst the RSPCA hotline is open between 8am and 8pm, local emergency vets and wildlife rescues should always be contacted and will often accept wildlife casualties free of charge outside of usual business hours.

Find your nearest local badger group

Use our Badger Group map to find your local badger group. Enter your postcode, town or county into the search box and you’ll be shown your nearest Badger Trust affiliated group and their contact details. Most badger groups have a website or some social media presence, so you can find out more about what they do and get in touch easily.

When you contact your local badger group please give them time to respond – they are all volunteers and will prioritise badger rescue and rehabilitation work first.

What to do if you encounter a dead badger on the roadside

Where a badger has sadly been killed as a result of a road traffic collision, please always report to us online via our RTC report form. This is important because:

• We log your report for our statistics to help our national Give Badgers a Brake campaign identify accident hotspots and campaign for better measures to protect badgers

• We pass on the details to your local badger group to identify local accident hotspots and help with local campaigns to protect badgers. In late winter and spring, checking if the badger is a lactating sow means they can try to locate and help the orphaned cubs

• We share data with The Road Lab which gathers vehicle collision reports for all wildlife species across the UK

Badgers and Road Traffic Collisions – How to Help

If the badger is injured

If the badger is alive but injured, please contact your local badger group, local vet, or wildlife rescue for immediate help first, then report to Badger Trust online via the RTC report form.

Find your local badger group

Use our Badger Groups Map to find details of your local badger group or google your county/town and 'badger group'.

Report a badger casualty

Where a badger has sadly been killed as a result of a road traffic collision in England and Wales, please always report to Badger Trust online via the RTC report form.

How to report

• ​​If you're driving, make a mental note of town/village/landmarks/road signs and locate via a map later. Marking the location via what3words app or a grid reference really helps.

• Complete Badger Trust’s online report form with as much information as possible.

Badger Trust RTC reports cover England and Wales.

Report an RTC in Scotland.

Report an RTC in Northern Ireland.

Removing a dead badger

Removing dead badgers from roadways or other locations is the responsibility of your local authority. Please contact your local council to ask them to remove any dead animals.