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Hi <<First Name>>
Over the years, we have met many of you albeit once when you first signed up. However, we know you all love badgers in your own ways. Now, more than ever, is the time to swing into action, find as many local badger setts as you can and keep an eye on them. This year, throughout England, they all face a very uncertain future.
Please get in touch with your local group if you need training in sett surveying and tips on how to look after them once you've found them. If each of us took on the responsibility of looking after just ten local setts, we could make a huge difference.
On 16 February, the Government slipped out three very important items of information that, put together, could mean the cull extending to huge numbers of areas with literally tens and tens of thousands of badgers killed this summer and autumn.
The Government has announced a review of its bTB strategy. However, in the Terms of Reference, it is very disappointing to find that it will not include a review of the badger cull. In addition, two public consultations have been announced that ring big alarm bells.
Defra wants to remove the 'ten area limit' that restricts the maximum number of new zones to ten per year.
Defra is also consulting on extending limited culling to low risk areas.
Fairly soon, we will put notes together so that you can participate in the consultation. Although public consultations on the badger cull are a 'tick-box' exercise, it is vital that as many people respond as possible since if the responses are fewer in number than previous consultations, the Government and NFU will state that public interest has waned. Click here to jump to the consultations.
In other news February is a big month for badgers ... and for them, there's only one thing on their minds ... cubs! Most badger cubs are born during this month and will depend entirely on their mothers until early summer.
This means checking on 'roadkill' badgers (your safety permitting) is even more important at this time of year. A recent post from Teignbridge Against The Badger Cull highlights this and the article further down in this newsletter will give you guidance on what to do.
And there are pieces of encouraging news as judges force the Government to reveal ecological impact assessment details following a case heard by a Tribunal in court spear-headed by ecologist Tom Langton. The way has also opened up for a Judicial Review of the wider issues surrounding the badger cull (more details in the next newsletter) and we take a virtual tour of the regions to see what everyone's doing.
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Judges force Government to reveal badger cull details
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Government department Natural England has lost its appeal to withhold information about the wider ecological impact of badger culling. The initial request was made by ecologist Tom Langton and backed by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), following Natural England’s refusal to supply all the details necessary to properly assess the damage the culls may be having to wildlife outside the cull zones.
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Natural England argued that releasing all the details would mean protester groups could more accurately identify the cull zone boundaries. They argued that this would lead to an increase in harassment and intimidation of farmers taking part in the culls and to more badger traps being damaged or stolen. However, the tribunal judges found their case to be “unconvincing”, with much of their evidence relating to events not covered by the case or simply not substantiated by fact. Ultimately, the judges decided that even if they were wrong regarding the alleged protester activity, the legitimate public interest in releasing the information outweighed upholding the exemption sought by Natural England. Read the full article.
To donate to this cause, click the Crowd Justice logo below. Click here to read the latest update (correct at time of sending)
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Dead or injured? Are you sure?
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In late January, a group of surveyors from Teignbridge Against The Badger Cull spotted a 'dead' badger at the side of the road. Finding a safe place to stop, they headed over to the badger to take a grid reference to pass to Devon Badger Group.
To their surprise, the badger wasn't dead but injured. After making a few phone calls, the group found a veterinary practice that could deal with
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the badger. After a thorough examination of the badger, the vet there had a lengthy telephone conversation with a vet at Secret World Wildlife Rescue.
The vets felt that the badger was unlikely to survive the journey to Secret World, and that euthanasia was the kindest option. Although very sad, the poor badger was spared many more hours suffering at the side of the road.
But at this time of the year, checking on animals at the side of the road is even more important. February is the month when most badger cubs are born. Badger cubs don't open their eyes until they are five weeks old and don't wean until around June. This makes them entirely dependent on their mothers throughout February to May.
Should you find an injured or dead badger, it is important to notify your local badger group. For an injured badger, they will help to arrange a rescue. Even if the animal is dead, the location will help your local group to build up a picture of badger activity in the area.
For other animal casualties, your local badger group will still be able to help if you need contact details for local vets or animal rescue groups.
It is stressed, however, that your safety should always be paramount and you should only stop to check on an animal if it is safe to do so. You should also take sensible precautions to protect yourself as an injured animal may bite.
Pop your local group's contact details into your phone, as you never know when you might need them.
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Secret World Wildlife Rescue
(8am - 8pm) - 01278 783 250
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Wildlife and Badger Care
(8pm - 8am) - 07954 036 687
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Vale Wildlife Hospital, Tewkesbury
(7am - 5pm) - 01386 882 288 - small animals can be taken straight in
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Vale Wildlife Hospital, Tewkesbury
(7am - 5pm) - 07961 413 574 for fox, badger or deer
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What's involved in sett surveying - video
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A short video giving a glimpse into sett surveying.
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GABS busy at Stroud Vegan Fair
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Wounded Badger Patrollers from Gloucestershire and North Cotswolds, enjoyed a warm and enthusiastic welcome at a recent vegan fair in Stroud.
The group chatted to members of the public, some of whom were unaware they too can make a difference and
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help save lives in a peaceful and lawful way during the badger cull.
Over 100 people signed up and will receive invitations to join the group on Badger Sundays and other events planned before the start of the 2018 cull.
Visit the group's Facebook page.
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Getting hot and steamy in Wiltshire! - video
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Wiltshire Against The Badger Cull has been getting out and about recently and proving that while they may be feeling the cold, the badgers certainly aren't!
The group will be heading out twice a month now, so get in touch to get involved.
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Finding badgers in Somerset
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Devon and Cornwall Against The Badger Cull has been busy setting up new sub-groups to help coordinate its activities across the huge Devon culling area.
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A new Facebook page has been set up specifically for North Devon.
North Devon Against The Badger Cull is a sub-group of Devon and Cornwall Against The Badger Cull and in common with all other groups, is busy getting to know its area and inhabitants.
Why not drop by their page and give them a like.
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Mother and baby doing well at Wiltshire Wildlife Hospital - video
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Badger Action Network's poll
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Badger Action Network is currently running a poll for the benefit of all groups to discover what the barriers are that prevent people from getting involved with sett surveying.
The reasons can range from lack of childcare, not be physically able or simply not know what it is or how to get involved.
If you can respond to the poll, it would be really helpful. If the poll has closed when you visit, you can always leave comments on the page.
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In view of the growing pressure on the government to launch a review of its bTB reduction policy, Badger Trust will be supporting a peaceful protest calling for an end to badger culling at Defra HQ at 17 Smith Square in London on Thursday 22 February.
The protest will give support to anti-cull campaigner Mary Barton who has been staging a lone protest outside Defra HQ over the past few weeks to draw attention to the 19,274 badgers killed in 2017.
Full details can be found here.
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Although not directly about badgers, those who hunt illegally regularly block badger setts to prevent foxes from escaping during hunting.
A day of protests will be taking place around the country on Sunday 25 February.
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These will be taking place at various National Trust venues in all of our counties plus many others. To find your nearest protest click here. You may need to scroll down to see all the venues.
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Mid Devon Badger Patrol is holding monthly walks for existing and would be patrollers.
For more details email the group or ring
07452 947 842.
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With so much about the badger cull in the news at the moment, this section contains links to relevant press and online articles.
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If you're new to this newsletter you can always catch up with past editions here.
This page is updated monthly. If you've received this newsletter from a friend you can also use the same page to subscribe to your relevant area's mailing list as well.
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Social media and contact links
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Gloucestershire and Herefordshire links
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Groups and sites we like!
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Subscribe to the mailing list
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If you've received this newsletter from a friend and would like to receive your own monthly copy and important updates from Somerset Against The Badger Cull, Devon and Cornwall Against The Badger Cull or Gloucestershire Against Badger Shooting (and sub-groups), just click here to subscribe and we'll add you to the mailing list.
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Copyright © 2018 Somerset Against the Badger Cull, Devon and Cornwall Against The Badger Cull, Gloucestershire Against Badger Shooting, Wiltshire Against The Badger Cull
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