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Managing conflict between humans and wildlife: badger licences to
solve problems with badgers in England
Journal
Mammal
Review
Volume 39 Issue 1,Pages53-66 Published Online: 14 Oct 2008 © 2009
Mammal Society/Blackwell Publishing
Authors
R. J. DELAHAY*, J. DAVISON†, D. W. POOLE‡, A. J.
MATTHEWS§, C. J. WILSON¶, M. J. HEYDON** and T. J. ROPER† *Central Science
Laboratory, Sand Hutton, York YO41 1LZ, UK,
†Department of Biology and
Environmental Science, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9QG, UK,
‡Natural England, Government Buildings, Lawnswood, Leeds LS16 5QT, UK,
§Defra, Wildlife Species Conservation Division, Temple Quay, Bristol BS1
6EB, UK,
¶Natural England, Estuary House, Exeter EX2 7XE, UK,
**Natural England, Blenheim Office Park, Long Hanborough, Oxford OX29 8LN,
UK
Abstract
-
Successful wildlife management needs to be
underpinned by frequent evaluation of the problems arising and the
management techniques used to resolve them. The aims of this review
were: (i) to investigate spatial and temporal patterns in the
occurrence and characteristics of badger–human conflict in England;
and (ii) to determine which factors influence the success of
management actions. Licences are required before interfering with
badgers or setts, so we carried out analyses of records of
applications received by Defra and data from follow-up monitoring of
management actions.
-
The number of licence applications rose
significantly during the recording period (1994–2004), with an
increasing proportion coming from the east of England and from urban,
as opposed to rural, areas. Damage problems caused by setts were the
most frequent sources of conflict in both urban and rural areas.
However, the majority of rural problems related to agricultural land,
whereas buildings and gardens were most affected in urban areas. A
higher proportion of problems involved outlier setts in urban areas
compared with rural areas.
-
The use of one-way gates to exclude badgers from
part or all of a problem sett was the commonest management action
proposed by Defra Wildlife Advisers, with total sett closure more
common in urban, compared with rural, areas. Follow-up monitoring
revealed that the success of action varied in relation to the type of
sett causing a problem, the type of management action undertaken and
the land use (urban or rural) at the problem location, with total
closure of an urban main sett being the least successful strategy.
This review provides an assessment of current trends in conflict
occurrence and will help in the development of management techniques.
Keywords
Protection of Badgers Act • setts • species
licensing • urban wildlife
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