Thousands of badgers each year are mercilessly killed by the cruel activity of baiting. This involves digging into a sett to locate the badgers and then pitting them against dogs, usually several dogs to one badger. If caught, the baiters can receive a prison sentence. Lamping is another way that baiters can acquire badgers for fighting. This involves catching badgers using a net. They may then be transported to another location for the baiting.
It is estimated that around 45,000 badgers are killed on the road in the UK
each year. We, the Neath Port Talbot badger group, regularly have to collect
road fatalities from all over the borough. In one year alone we collected
26, which is a very heavy toll as the area is not heavily populated by badgers.
Also, they are not prolific breeders, as say, compared to rabbits and foxes.
For instance, only one litter per year is produced by a female badger. Average
litter size is only 2 cubs. Only 50% of females each year will produce a
litter.
The Table below is updated regularly and gives approximate badger road
fatalities for Glamorgan since 1992. It should be noted however that we generally only
hear of about only half of those actually killed, so the figure could well be double to
that below.
| COUNTY AREA | ||
|---|---|---|
| Mid Glamorgan | ||
| West Glamorgan | ||
| South Glamorgan | ||
| Total road casualties since 1992 | ||
The main threat of development to badgers, and many other wildlife species, is loss of habitat. Development decreases feeding grounds which are vital to sustain present and future badger populations. It is estimated that 50% of new born cubs die of starvation due to loss of feeding grounds. Another hazard that comes with development is new roads that cross badger paths, which often results in an increase in road fatalities.
Other threats to badgers are numerous and include illegal poisoning, snaring and shooting. Also hazards are accidental destruction of setts, railway fatalities and legal culling by Government bodies, eg. Ministry of Agriculture (MAFF). These activities cause the death of many thousands of badgers every year.