How to Help | leedsbadgergroup

How you can help

To help us continue our important work for badgers, please consider making a donation to help fund our work:

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Please inform us of any badger sightings (dead or alive), sett locations, road traffic casualties or wildlife crimes. This information helps us to map badger activity and locate setts. These records can also be helpful with planning applications where the data can be used to lobby for wildlife tunnels, road signs or effective mitigation. Our email address is: leedsbadgergroup@gmail.com

If the sighting is outside of the Leeds area, please report it to the Badger Trust who will then forward the details on to the relevant local group badger group: www.badgertrust.org.uk/report

Dead badgers

If you spot a dead badger please email us with the exact location, e.g. using What3Words. If you notice the dead badger has very large teats please tell us immediately so we can try to locate potentially orphaned cubs for rescue (most likely to be between January and June).

Injured badgers

If you see an injured or sick badger please report it to your local wildlife rescue or go to the Badger Trust website (See 'Contacts' page) to search for your local badger rescue. If it's an emergency please contact the Calderdale Badger Group hotline: 07894 497544. Make sure you have the exact location, e.g. using What3Words. If possible, and if it is safe to do so, stay with the badger until help arrives. Exercise extreme caution, do not attempt to touch or directly help the badger, they should only be handled by trained people with proper protection and equipment.

Road traffic collisions (RTCs)

We record details of road traffic collisions (RTCs) involving badgers and where possible check the area for setts and orphaned cubs. We also campaign for wild animal warning road signs and raise awareness of traffic speed, e.g. 'Give Badgers A Brake'. If you see a badger that's been involved a road traffic collision, please do not put yourself or others at risk, only pull over if safe to do so. If the badger is alive do not attempt to move it yourself as it may injure you even if it appears to be docile, instead please contact the Calderdale Badger Group hotline: 07894 497544. Make sure you have the exact location, e.g. using What3Words..

Slow down - Report - Save lives

Badgers and the law

Badgers are protected by the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 and other legislation. Sadly, they continue to be persecuted in many ways including:

Digging or baiting
Blocking sett entrances
Shooting and lamping
Snares found near setts or on a badger pathway
Damage caused by a landowner or farmer e.g. ploughing over a sett or by forestry operations
Development as part of construction works

Badgers are one of the most persecuted animals in the UK

Reporting a crime

If you believe you are witnessing badger or sett disturbance report it to the police immediately on: 999 giving the location, e.g. using What3Words. Ask for someone to attend urgently and tell the police control room if you have been seen or feel threatened.
If you believe a badger or sett has already been disturbed report it to the police on: 101 or online at www.westyorkshire.police.uk/report-it

In all cases please make sure you obtain an incident number or Crime Reference Number (CRN) and email it to us at leedsbadgergroup@gmail.com and to ld.wildlifeandruralcrimeteam@westyorkshire.pnn.police.uk

If you need assistance from the RSPCA please phone them on 0300 1234 999

Spread awareness

Sharing social media posts from us, other badger groups or the Badger Trust (but not sharing sett locations)
Signing any petitions you see supporting badgers

Planning and development

Badger setts are at risk from development, including new house building and new road networks. This includes their setts and surrounding foraging areas as well as problems from increased traffic. Keeping accurate sett records helps us lobby for effective mitigation.

There is always the risk of a development with potential impact on badgers being overlooked. If you are aware of a planning application near you that may affect a known badger territory, please let us know by emailing us. You can also write to the council objecting to plans that adversely affect badgers.

Forestry works

Forestry operations such as tree felling can damage setts or cause disturbance to badgers. If you have any concerns about forestry work that may affect a known badger territory, please let us know by emailing us. You can also contact the contractor, landowner or Forestry Commission.

The badger cull

Join the Badger Trust campaigns including their marches against the badger cull
Write to your MP - if you believe that the badger cull is inhumane, unscientific, costly and simply ineffective, let your MP know!
Respond to any Defra consultations relating to the cull so they appreciate the strength of feeling about how wrong the cull is