Badger Persecution: Appeal for vigilance around Church Stretton

We are hearing from a number of sources that badgers are currently suffering regular abuse in the general area of Church Stretton.  

All the information we have received to date has been passed to the police, and both the police and Shropshire Badger Group are keen to hear from anyone who is suspicious about the activities of men with dogs, particularly near to a known badger sett.  

If the men with dogs are actually seen to be digging or carrying spades, please DO NOT approach them, but immediately ring the police on 999, stating that you think a wildlife crime is in progress. Ask the police to attend right away and give as many identifying details as possible about the men themselves, their dogs, and their vehicles, eg make, model and registration numbers.  

Always ask for the Wildlife Crime Officer to attend in person, but remember that speed is essential if the culprits are to be caught in the act. Also ask the police to run the vehicle details through their computer to check if the owner is a known wildlife criminal. If possible, take photos of the vehicles and tyre treads.

We can be contacted via our Badgerline on 01743 271999, our website www.shropshirebadgergroup.co.uk, or our Facebook page, if anyone has information or suspicions they would like to pass on to us in confidence.

Diane Bartlett 10 April at 12:09   I was called out to check on a female badger that had been badly smashed in the face in a road accident. If you find a female badger, please check by squeezing quite firmly to see if you can produce milk, squeeze from the base of the surrounding nipple to the tip. If there is milk please contact your local badger group, who will do their best to find the young. In this case this badger didn't have cubs.  Here is a link to find your local group: http://www.badger.org.uk/#!local-groups/c73lf  If you find a dead road casualty badger in Shropshire, please report it to the Shropshire Badger Group via the contact form on our website: http://www.shropshirebadgergroup.co.uk/index.php/contact-badgers

The latest Badger Trust newsletter is out now - you can click here to access it.

A date for your diary

This year our AGM is on Thursday 14^th April at The Wroxeter Hotel,  Shrewsbury SY5 6PH, arriving 6.45 pm for 7pm.

We are excited to have as our guest speaker a young Canadian ecologist, Michael Noonan from Oxford University’s Wildlife Research Conservation Unit (WildCRU). Mike will be giving an illustrated talk entitled “The Underground Lives of Badgers – New Insights from Technological Advancements” about his latest research into badger society and movement patterns both above and below ground.

While the meeting is open to all, there will be a finger buffet for members and guests who confirm their attendance in advance. Please let us know whether you require vegetarian/vegan options by getting in touch via facebook, emailing Michele ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) or phoning her on 07813 208291.

Also, there will be badger merchandise available, plus some fantastic raffle prizes. It should be a lively and stimulating evening and we look forward to seeing many old and new faces.