Posted by Paul Thomas on February 23, 2009 at 7:02 PM
Not the sort of Badger photo I was hoping to take this spring Returning home on Sunday I passed two dead badgers with yards of each other - clearly sett-mates. I went back today to double-check that they were RTA victims (which they clearly were) and not dumped victims of wildlife crime. Tragically both were sows so there's a high chance that there are cubs underground dying a slow death as you read this.
Techs of no consequence.
Paul
Posted by eric weight on February 24, 2009 at 1:04 AM
It seems to me that we get larger kills at this time of the year and again in about October, which I always put down to cubs being moved on by their parents to make way for the next litter. Whether that is true or not perhaps others can say, but if it is, it may well be that these don't have cubs of their own yet. Let's hope so anyway. One thing is for certain, they certainly aren't an endangered species - not around here anyway thank god.
eric
Posted by Brian Davis on February 24, 2009 at 4:26 AM
A sad but very common sight at this time of year. Eric is right that the statistics show higher fatalities at this time of year. The badger is still low in numbers across the country as a whole, there are areas where the badger is being persecuted heavily by badger baiters, game keepers, and dairy farmers.
It is also worthy of note that at this time of year badger baiting is particularly prevalent, the sows are usually feeding cubs and are seen to be more aggressive as they protect those cubs, They are more of a challenge to the sick individuals who see the badger as nothing more than sport for the dogs.
Paul was right to check that the sows were victims of road accidents, it is common for baiters to disgard the dead badgers at the side of a road so that their barbaric acts go un-noticed. If you are seeing groups of dead badgers at the road side and have the time to stop to check then please do. You will look for signs that are not those you would expect for an accident, deep abrasions around the mouth and shoulders, broken backs, anything out of the ordinary. most badgers appear uninjured after a accident as a slight bump on the head is all that it usually takes to kill them.
If you have any doubts please report what you have seen to your local badger group, you can usually get their details from the net by throwing in NFBG into google. (National federation of badger groups).
Sorry to have gone on.
Posted by Mark Hamblin on February 24, 2009 at 5:03 AM
Great shot despite the obvious consequences, but always worth documenting. As nature photographers we should make sure that we record the ugly stuff as well as the beautiful. We are the only ones really documenting this stuff visually and these kind of images, whilst unpalatable have an important role to play. Cheers, Mark
Posted by Mike Smith on February 24, 2009 at 6:17 AM
A sad more more frequently encountered sight on my roads as well, I can't remember last time I saw a dead (or live for that matter) hedgehog, but dead badgers now seem two a penny
Posted by SCOTTTILLEY on February 24, 2009 at 7:38 AM
Totally agree with all previous comments. Noted a dead badger near me yesterday, and after Brians comments I will be going back to check it is a road victim today. Not a pleasant picture but has certainly made an important point.
This is a picture that says it all,definitely worth a thousand words. Composition spot on the bend in the road adds a lot as does the way you have handled the DOF. Good shot.
Discussion
8 repliesTechs of no consequence.
Paul
It is also worthy of note that at this time of year badger baiting is particularly prevalent, the sows are usually feeding cubs and are seen to be more aggressive as they protect those cubs, They are more of a challenge to the sick individuals who see the badger as nothing more than sport for the dogs.
Paul was right to check that the sows were victims of road accidents, it is common for baiters to disgard the dead badgers at the side of a road so that their barbaric acts go un-noticed. If you are seeing groups of dead badgers at the road side and have the time to stop to check then please do. You will look for signs that are not those you would expect for an accident, deep abrasions around the mouth and shoulders, broken backs, anything out of the ordinary. most badgers appear uninjured after a accident as a slight bump on the head is all that it usually takes to kill them.
If you have any doubts please report what you have seen to your local badger group, you can usually get their details from the net by throwing in NFBG into google. (National federation of badger groups).
Sorry to have gone on.
Scott
Bob.
A well taken image though.
Fran