Drought is killing badger population as they struggle to dig for worms
Drought is killing badger populations as they struggle to dig for earthworms in water-starved soil, experts warn
- Daytime sightings of the nocturnal mammal have risen as they travel further on
- Harder ground has made it difficult to dig up earthworms which is their main diet
- Those wishing to help can leave out water, nuts and fruits, the Badger Trust said
Badger populations in some areas could soon be extinct because of the drought, campaigners warn.
Daytime sightings of the nocturnal mammal have risen as they travel further afield to find food and water.
Daytime sightings of the nocturnal mammal have risen as they travel further afield to find food and water
Harder ground has made it difficult to dig up earthworms, their main diet, the Badger Trust said.
Many have died of dehydration and hunger.
Those wishing to help can leave out water, nuts and fruits, the trust said.
The toll has fuelled calls to halt badger culling.
A spokesman for the trust said: ‘We are seeing significant pressure being placed upon badgers in the heat, many of whom, particularly younger individuals, are not surviving.
‘The hard ground makes foraging for worms, their primary food source, impossible to achieve and badgers are having to range further and at unusual times in search for water.
‘Dehydration and hunger are unfortunately claiming many lives and badgers are now at significant risk of localised extinctions in cull areas.
Harder ground has made it difficult to dig up earthworms which is their main diet
‘The killing of badgers in already dwindling populations will leave too few badgers to sustain viable populations.’
The trust and other animal welfare organisations have called on Natural England to end intensive culling in their areas. New licences are set to be announced on September 1.
Drivers who see a seemingly dead badger by the side of the road are asked to stop, where possible, and check to see if they are suffering from heat exhaustion.
Both dead and injured badgers should be reported to the Badger Trust at https://www.badgertrust.org.uk/report so they can keep track of numbers and incidents and send help where required.
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