Christmas Message from the Badger Trust

December 23, 2011

Dear All,

Despite our joint best efforts, 2011 has ended on a sad note for badgers with the Government’s announcement of a pilot cull in England in the Autumn of 2012.

However, all is not yet lost and within Badger Trust we are determined to do everything possible to oppose the unwarranted slaughter of badgers. Once again we shall ask for your help in doing so, in the knowledge that you have all supported us wholeheartedly on previous occasions and will no doubt do so again in the future. We have already received many kind cards and messages and it is encouraging to know that we have so many friends willing to assist.

Until we know exactly what legal steps we can take to oppose the decision announced by Caroline Spelman, there are one or two things you can continue to do. The first (if you have not already done so) is to visit the Badger Trust website www.badgertrust.org.uk in order to sign the 38 Degrees petition against the culling of badgers. The link to this can be found on the Home page, it takes a moment or two to do and please encourage your friends to do likewise. The second helpful action is to continue to write letters to your MP, the Prime Minister, the Secretary of State for the Environment, saying in your own words exactly how you feel about the decision which has been made. We do not intend to put words into your mouth, it is far more effective for each of you to voice your own views. Even at this stage, the weight of public opinion can help to make a difference. Perhaps you can find half an hour during the festive season to compose a letter – the MP’s are obliged to reply so it does help to focus their minds! I sincerely hope that by this time next year, with your help, the situation will have changed for the better.

Meanwhile, on behalf of the Directors and staff of Badger Trust, I should like to wish you and your families a very happy and restful Christmas. We hope that the New Year brings you everything you wish for yourselves and that our badgers are allowed to live peacefully and safely, without interference from the human race.

Kind regards,

Dave Williams,
Chairman.

Learn About Badgers!
A badger sett is a system of tunnels and nesting chambers lined with bedding such as grass, moss and leaves.
Cubs are normally born in February, and the average number in a litter is three, although the range can be from one to five.
Badgers are considered omnivorous, although their diet varies so much in different countries they are also sometimes termed ‘local specialists’.
Badgers live mainly in woods and copses in extensive underground burrow systems called setts.
Badgers are shy, nocturnal animals that live in underground chambers connected by a network of tunnels known as a sett.
Did You Know?
It has been estimated that up to 50,000 badgers may be killed on our roads each year. If safe to do so, it is worth checking what appears to be a dead badger.
Snares can do serious damage to skin tissue which is not immediately obvious.
Badger cubs begin to explore above ground in May, sometimes without mum’s permission!
Try not to cause the animal alarm, but observe from a distance.
Help & Advice
Our website is packed full or helpful advice and facts about badgers and how the handle them in numerous situations.
BADGERS & DEVELOPMENT
If you’re concerned about
badger welfare in relation
to property development.
BADGERS IN DISTRESS
If you find a badger in need
of urgent care or in distress
then call us immediately on
our dedicated Phone line and
select Option 1. 08448 707 908
BADGERS IN THE GARDEN
Not everyone wants badgers in their garden, we know that they can dig up lawns, eat bulbs and generally make a mess.

Please contact us on enquiries@lancashirebadgergroup.org.uk for advice on your specific problem with badgers in your garden, we are happy to help.