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Vaccination programme could save thousands of badgers from being killed
Avon Wildlife Trust is rolling out a vaccination programme to save potentially thousands of wild badgers being culled in the Bristol region.
The conservation charity hopes the pilot scheme will be an important step towards “winning both hearts and minds” on the complex and distressing issue of tackling bovine tuberculosis (TB), which poses a serious risk to cattle.
A campaign has been launched to raise the £20,000 funds needed to cover the vaccines, equipment and training for the programme, which is the first of its kind in the region.
is needed now More than ever
The controversial widespread culls of badgers, carried out across the UK and much of the South West, to reduce the risk of cattle contracting bovine TB have killed some 68,000 badgers.
The policy has so far not been carried out around the Bristol countryside, but Avon Wildlife Trust predicts culling licences could be issued by DEFRA in the future, leading to the deaths of thousands more animals.
Ian Barrett, the chief executive of Avon Wildlife Trust, says: “Bovine TB has a devastating effect on farmers and their livelihoods, and the badger vaccination work we’re beginning is about finding a way of managing the disease which avoids the needless culling of wild animals.
“We’re starting this summer with a small-scale pilot and will then be able to share our knowledge and encourage other landowners across our region to protect more of Avon’s badgers from bovine TB.
“Badger vaccination is successfully happening in many other areas, led by wildlife trusts working with landowners and farmers, and we’re determined to play our part in reducing the spread of this disease, whilst ensuring that our native wild badger population can thrive.
“We know how strongly our members and supporters feel about the charismatic badger and its place here in our region and are grateful for everyone who supports our appeal and helps us continue our vaccination work.”
Avon Wildlife Trust says its pilot is the first step towards winning over hearts and minds on the issue. Photo by Bevis Watts
Bovine TB is spread in several ways, primarily through contact between cattle, but there is the potential for it to move through badger populations.
As such, the trust says vaccination of badgers is an important part of the range of measures necessary to control the disease, alongside improved cattle testing, biosecurity on farms, and long-term investment in a cattle vaccine.
Avon Wildlife Trust manages 30 nature reserves across the wider Bristol region and believes that vaccination provides a viable, cost effective and long-term alternative to culling to control the spread of bovine TB.
Simon King OBE, the charity’s president adds: “We need to act now to save our badgers and Avon Wildlife Trust’s badger vaccination programme is an important first step to winning both hearts and minds on this complex and distressing issue.”
Avon Wildlife Trust staff are working alongside trained volunteers from Somerset Badger Group, who have a licence to trap and vaccinate badgers and cubs.
The animals are handled gently and carefully and, once vaccinated, are released back into the wild.
The charity says vaccination is a viable alternative to culling. Photo by Richard Hopkins
Badger cubs will be vaccinated as well as adults. Photo by Bevis Watts
Main photo by Richard Hopkins
Read more: Bristol’s wildlife sites under threat
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