The Badger Although rarely seen, the badger is relatively widespread in Essex.   Whilst being mostly associated with woodland, it’s also found in hedgerows, ditch lines and field margins.  

The Law As well as the badger being a protected species, The Protection of Badgers Act 1992 also gives protection to the home of the badger, the sett.   It is therefore illegal to kill, take or willfully injure a badger, and illegal to interfere with a sett, or disturb a badger in it’s sett.

Badgers are protected, not because of their rarity, but because of the threats from illegal activity.   While badger digging and baiting still occurs, by far the biggest threat today comes from development which leads to loss of habitat.

How Are Trees Important To Badgers?Tree roots quite often form the roof of the sett tunnels and chambers, therefore tree work CAN cause considerable disturbance if undertaken at the wrong time of year, or without taking appropriate care.   Heavy machinery should NEVER be used over a sett as this could cause collapse of the sett leaving badgers to suffocate underground.  (It’s important to remember that badgers are very good at digging in, but are unable to dig themselves out.  As they attempt to push the earth behind them they quickly wall themselves in!!)    Light machinery may be used, but use of hand tools may be necessary within 10m of the sett.   Any work, unless for emergency or safety reasons, should not take place from November to May when sows are preparing to give birth, then raising their cubs underground.  Advice should always be sought if work is to be undertaken adjacent to a badger sett.  Natural England (Colchester, 01206 796666) will give advice, or an experienced Badger Group member will be happy to visit and advise free of charge following a call to The Badger Hotline.

How Can I Recognise A Badger Sett? Badger entrances can often be recognised by the shape, which will be like a D turned on it’s side (ie wider than tall), as opposed to a rabbit entrance which is likely to be the shape of an upside down U.   There will quite often be masses of sandy spoil outside the entrance which the badgers will have excavated to form the sett, but misleadingly this is not always the case!  Badger hairs and or footprints can often be found at the entrances, and well worn paths may link sett entrances.   Setts can vary from just a single entrance, to well established groups of up to 50 entrances.   Please seek advice if unsure.

What Should I Do If I See a Dead or Injured Badger? Please ring the Badger Hotline.  North East Essex Badger Group members across the district will go out to check that the badger (if dead) has not been illegally killed by snaring or shooting.  The most likely cause is a road accident, and badger bodies are removed to ensure the safety of any nearby sett  locations.   Injured badgers receive appropriate veterinary treatment (or euthanasia if deemed the best option) and following a spell in rehab will be returned to their sett as soon as fit.   Orphaned cubs can sometimes be rescued if a lactating sow is killed on the road.

For all Badger Matters contact the Badger Hotline 07751 572 175 (24 hours for calls about injured badgers).

If you would like further information on how NEEBG works with Police, RSPCA and other statutory authorities to protect badgers and their habitat, or you would like to join us for just £7.50, please ring the Hotline.