Density and abundance of badger social groups in England and Wales in 2011-2013.
In the United Kingdom, European badgers Meles meles are a protected species and an important wildlife reservoir of bovine tuberculosis. We conducted a survey of badger dens (main setts) in 1614 1 km squares across England and Wales, between November 2011 and March 2013. Using main setts as a proxy for badger social groups, the estimated mean density of badger social groups in England and Wales was 0.485 km(-2) (95% confidence interval 0.449-0.521) and the estimated abundance of social groups was 71,600 (66,400-76,900). In the 25 years since the first survey in 1985-88, the annual rate of increase in the estimated number of badger social groups was 2.6% (2.2-2.9%), equating to an 88% (70-105%) increase across England and Wales. In England, we estimate there has been an increase of 103% (83-123%) in badger social groups, while in Wales there has been little change (-25 to +49%).
National Wildlife Management Centre, Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency, Woodchester Park, Stonehouse GL10 3UJ, UK.
Johanna
J
Judge
National Wildlife Management Centre, Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency, Woodchester Park, Stonehouse GL10 3UJ, UK.
Gavin J
GJ
Wilson
Food and Environment Research Agency, Sand Hutton, York YO41 1LZ, UK.
Roy
R
Macarthur
National Wildlife Management Centre, Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency, Woodchester Park, Stonehouse GL10 3UJ, UK.
Richard J
RJ
Delahay
Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall, TR10 9EZ, UK.
Robbie A
RA
McDonald
D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild / Q000382:microbiology*; D002417:Cattle; D004197:Disease Reservoirs / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D045969:Mustelidae / Q000382:microbiology*; D009163:Mycobacterium bovis / Q000502:physiology*; D011156:Population Density; D012919:Social Behavior; D013997:Time Factors; D014380:Tuberculosis, Bovine / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D014852:Wales / Q000453:epidemiology