South Yorkshire Badger Group

Reg. Charity No: 1039884

This site was last updated on 12-02-09

For ALL Badger enquires in

South Yorkshire

please phone the NEW Badger Helpline

07722 590184

Introduction

Meles meles
"Eurasian Badger"

The European Badger (Meles Meles) 

is one of Britain's largest & possibly best loved wild mammal. With their distinctive black & white striped faces & shy gentle nature they certainly hold appeal for most people, yet few will have been lucky enough to have actually seen a badger in natural surroundings. This is because the Badger is a nocturnal animal which is normally secretive & tries to avoid man. Occasionally, when the weather is particularly hot, badgers may come briefly above ground during daytime.

By nature they are extremely clean & intelligent animals which live together in well ordered social groups (four to 12 adults), each with its own distinct territory. Only one female badger in a social group normally breeds, although occasionally two or more may do so. Litters of two or three cubs are usually born in February. Their underground homes or setts as they are correctly termed, can be an amazing labyrinth of tunnels & chambers, often covering a large area. Badgers are omnivorous and eat a wide variety of foods such as earthworms, beetles & fruit. They do no real harm to anyone and farmers generally welcome them.

Badgers have been present in Britain for thousands of years. Their bones have been found alongside those of cave bears & elk. They have managed to survive while other animals such as wild boar, wolves & bears have become extinct. However, nowadays the species faces many pressures such as habitat destruction and illegal persecution. In South Yorkshire, as in many other areas, they too are faced with extinction.

 Distinguishing Features - Length: average 0.9 m; weight: average 8 - 9kg in spring, 11 - 12kg in autumn. Black and white horizontal stripes on face; stocky grey body; legs, dark grey to dark brown.

Habitat

Common through Europe, into Scandinavia and western Russia, across to eastern Siberia, in mixed woodlands environments and forest edges where soils are suitable for burrowing.

Persecution

Badger-digging has been practised in this country since the middle ages and sadly, today there are still people who indulge in this cruel "sport". It involves men who send dogs into a sett to locate and corner the badger. Using radio equipment to locate their dogs, the men dig down into the sett and drag the terrified animal out, normally to a cruel death.

Today there is another human threat to the Badger population, that from road traffic. There are increasing numbers of Badgers being killed on our roads as the number of cars increases.

About SYBG

The SYBG was formed in the summer of 1985 and aims to protect the Badger and its environment throughout South Yorkshire. The Group exists solely to achieve these aims and does not involve itself in other issues.

Members of the Group actively participate in a variety of conservation projects aimed at protecting Badger Setts. These include the construction of artificial 'dig-proof' setts. Physical protection of setts and a range of projects to assist farmers and landowners in the conservation of Badgers on their land.

Another vital part of the Group's activities involves the surveying, checking and recording of existing and new setts. This information is then made available for use, when necessary, as evidence in prosecutions and ensuring the future protection of the Badger's habitat.

All members are invited to attend regular meetings and receive a regular newsletter to keep them in touch with what is happening locally, regionally and nationally. The Group also offers a programme of illustrated talks and film shows, and advice on Badgers and their conservation.

Donations

The South Yorkshire Badger Group is a Charitable Organisation & relies on donations to continue the work of protecting the Badger. If you can help in any way please contact anyone on the "Who to Contact " page.

Badger Helpline 07722 590184