The badger is Scotland’s largest native mammal after red deer. Badgers roam far afield at night, with a varied diet, but mainly of earthworms. Badgers have a complex territorial family life in clans, with males (boars) frequently wounded in fights. There are around 9,500 badger setts in Scotland.
Image (c) Sandra Graham
Action Needed
- Support the current Protection of Badgers Act 1992 (as amended in Scotland) and resist any appeal.
- Support better resourcing of Police Scotland and Scottish Badgers to advise the public and agencies on prevention of badger disturbance.
- Ensure the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy is fully implemented
Threats
Illegal dog and badger fighting, and development activities in forestry, farming, housebuilding and infrastructure. 50% of badger crimes are the failure to apply for a licence for allowed badger disturbance.
MSP Species Champion
Colin Smyth
Member for: South Scotland
Party: Scottish Labour Party