Badger Watch Ireland Newsletter - Spring 2012

8/2/2019 Badger Watch Ireland Newsletter - Spring 2012

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programme, has increased substantially from 6,000 reactors in 1999 to 33,000 in 2010. I

understand, however, that DEFRA intends to implement a pilot badger cull in the

autumn.

My Department intends over the coming years to gradually replace badger culling with

badger vaccination and, with this in mind, we have been funding research in UCD andcollaborating with DEFRA in the UK on research into a vaccine to control tuberculosis

in badgers. Research to date has demonstrated that oral vaccination of badgers in a

captive environmentwith the BCG vaccine generates high levels of protective

immunity against challenge with bovine TB. However, field trials are also being

undertaken to assess the impact of the vaccine on the incidence of disease in field

conditions. If these trials are successful, badger vaccination will be incorporated into

the eradication programme. However, it will be some years before the trials are

completed and therefore targeted badger removals will continue in the medium term.

Last year alone, 5,769 badgers were trapped and killed incruel Government snares.

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The picture on previous page is one the Department of Agriculture do not

want you to see. In recent years, Agriculture prefers to use the

description specially devised stopped body restraint (a comfy

harness) as approved under the 1976 Wildlife Act (amended 2000).

Nothing could be further from the truth. The killing continueswithout mercy and thousands of our legally protected badgers have

met and will continue to meet their fate in these cruel multi-strand

wire snares.

The Irish Government insists its done in the name of scientific research.

In one period alone from 2000 2011, close on 65,000 badgers have

died in the name of science. It is nothing more than a blatant

extermination of the animal. Non-targeted species, foxes and dogs

also fall prey to it because the snare is indiscriminate.

Badgers injure themselves in the struggle to escape. The picture at

bottom of page shows a badger (snare on hind quarters) attempting to dig

its way to freedom. While the animal struggles, the snare tightens,

almost strangling the badger. Badgerwatch has seen the results and its a

heartbreaking sight. Recently, Badgerwatch has been contacted about

further incidents from different parts of the country where badgers,

already caught in snares had succeed in pulling the metal stake out of

the ground. The animals have been seen struggling about fields

dragging metal stake in tow until help from concerned individualsintervenes. Far from been the humane restraint described by Agriculture,

the snare can be regarded as our own weapon of mass destruction and

looks set to remain the scourge of our countryside for years to come.

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KILKENNY SPCA WELFARE OFFICER, NOEL AND HELPER PLACINGHER INTO A CARRIER FOR VETERINARY TREATMENT.

Thousands of our badgers die annually on our roads. A fleeting glimpse ofthe dead animal lying in the ditch is about as close as the public may everget to seeing the animal. Coming upon such road casualties and they aremany is bad news to lovers of the animal. But, an additional and more serioustragedy may also occur where the victim is female and lactating. The chancesof rescuing her dependent cubs is almost impossible. Thankfully, on thisoccasion she was not a lactating sow.

The call had come early am. The caller identified himself and reported theinjured badger lying on the motorway, somewhere in the vicinity of the Carlow

exit. This is one of the big problems nowadays getting an exact location ona motorway. It was, at best, an hours journey from Waterford. Help camefrom Noel, who was about twenty minutes from the spot. The picture showsboth men lifting the injured badger into the carrier and then taking her to thenearest vet for examination. During all of this time, her helper remained at thescene and assisted Noel. Much credit is due to this man for his compassionand concern for the animal. Thankfully, she made a full recovery from herinjuries after a brief stay at the vets where she received the necessarymedical attention. In due course she was released back to the wild by Noeland the local Conservation Ranger. We hope she is now enjoying her new

lease of life in her selected and safer surroundings.

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The Irish Times - Friday, February 3, 2012

Hurt dog rescued and man held in

badger baiting raidGERRY MORIARTY, Northern Editor

THE ULSTER Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (USPCA) has urged

the public to be vigilant against badger-baiting after a man was arrested and a badly

injured dog rescued near Banbridge, Co Down.

David Wilson of the USPCA said the severe facial injuries to the dog, a Patterdale

terrier, were consistent with the animal having been involved in a fight with a badger.

The man (58) was arrested by PSNI officers co-operating with USPCA inspectors on

Wednesday night. It was part of a UK-wide crackdown on badger baiting called

Operation Meles.

The terrier was rescued from a house in Gilford near Banbridge. A vehicle was also

seized. The man was released yesterday pending further inquiries.

A senior police officer said: I have investigated a number of animal cruelty cases and

the injuries sustained by this dog are some of the worst I have seen.

In follow-up searches on nearby premises yesterday morning, four similar terrier-type

dogs were recovered and taken into the care of the USPCA. Several implements, such

as long-handle spades suitable for digging up badger setts and boxes to hold badgers,

were also seized.

Badger-baiting involves setting dogs against badgers. It often involves betting, while

breeding and selling the terriers is also a business.

Mr Wilson said the seizures in Co Down were part of an intelligence-led operation.

Throughout the island, he added, it was estimated that badger baiting was costing the

lives of thousands of Irish badgers each year.

He said those involved did not go near the badgers in the summer when they were

breeding but that this was the season for digging them out of setts to prepare them for

organised badger-baiting at very secret venues.

There was particular suspicious activity to look out for. You are looking for a van or a

vehicle with trailers; you are looking for dogs; you are looking for guys carrying long-

handled spades. Mr Wilson asked for people, particularly farmers and others living in

rural areas, to be watchful for people who might be involved in this medieval

pastime.

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The U.K.Government has announced the two areas where it will be

piloting its Badger Control policy in 2012.

27th January 2012

Dear All

Many of you will already be aware that an announcement has now been made regarding

the broad location of the areas in which the pilot trials will be held. The Badger Trust is

keen to gather as much information as it can about the areas and the progress of culling

if and when it begins. However, please bear in mind the Badger Trust's policy of taking

particular care not to trespass or undertake any other activity which could be regarded

as illegal. These trials are designed to test the efficacy, humaneness and safety of the

controlled (free shooting) of badgers. If the trials proceed, shooting will commence in

the autumn and will continue for six weeks.

As badgers are nocturnal the killing will take place at night, and will be carried out by

trained marksmen using high-powered rifles. Their remit will be to kill at least 70% ofthe badgers in each of the trial areas. The killing will be non-selective, but the

majority of those killed will be healthy. Of the small percentage of badgers which may

be carrying bovine TB, very few will be infectious and therefore capable of transmitting

the disease.

Each of the trial areas must be at least 150 sq.km., that is c. 8 miles by 8

miles, but could be larger. At least 70% of the land in the area must be covered. The

precise areas and boundaries where the shooting will take place will not be revealed but

are stated to be in WEST GLOUCESTERSHIRE and WEST SOMERSET. Licence

applications from groups of landowners who propose to cull badgers will be considered

by Natural England. At the same time, interested parties living within and immediately

adjacent to the proposed licence areas are invited to comment in order to draw Natural

England's attention to any material impacts that may be relevant to their determination

of the licence applications.

If you live in or immediately adjacent to either WEST GLOUCESTERSHIRE or

WEST SOMERSET please ensure you respond within the stated timescale. If you live

outside those areas but know of people who are entitled to respond, please forward this

message to them. The shooting of badgers will affect everybody living and working in,

or adjacent to, the two pilot trial areas. They are both popular destinations for tourists

who may decide they do not want to visit areas where badgers are being shot at night.Businesses in the area, e.g. those offering accommodation or food, may see a drop in

their income.

Do not make the mistake of thinking that because you live in a town or village, this will

not affect you - if you run a business, your business may suffer and you should take the

opportunity to draw Natural England's attention to this. Others who live in rural areas

perhaps offering accommodation with badger watching as an attraction also need to

consider the impact on their income. The "Opportunity to Comment" is not a

consultation - the decision to trial the shooting of badgers has been taken - this is purely

and simply an opportunity for you to state the impact it will have upon you, your home,

land and business.

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If you visit our website www.badgertrust.org.uk you will find much information

together with press releases which we hope will prove helpful. Badger Trust is a single

species charity, dedicated to the conservation, welfare and protection of badgers, their

setts and habitats.

We need your help to do so as we are committed to fulfilling our aims in any legal wayopen to us. If you would like to become a supporter of either Badger Trust itself, or one

of our local badger groups or assist us in any other way, details can be found on our

website. Thank you in anticipation of your help.

Best wishes,

Pat Hayden,

Vice Chairman

Badger Trust is the only charity dedicated to the conservation of badgers throughout England,Wales and all Ireland.PO Box 708, EAST GRINSTEAD, RH19 2WN

Views expressed in this edition are not necessarily those of

Badgerwatch (Ireland)

Bernadette Barrett, Badgerwatch (Ireland) address at front of newsletter

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Badger Watch Ireland Newsletter - Spring 2012

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