Temporary Reprieve for UK's Badgers

The UK is putting its controversial plans to kill thousands of wild badgers on hold until summer 2013. Nearly 75,000 signatures were gathered on three Care2 petitions targeting the UK government on this issue and our collective voice has been heard!

The government’s announcement preceded a non-binding vote in the Houses of Parliament. After a 5-hour discussion, Members of Parliament voted for the government to implement more sustainable and humane solutions. Although the vote may not end similar proposals in the future, it will now be harder for the government to justify these culls.

Seventy percent of wild badgers in two pilot areas were slated to be shot over a six week period following which a large-scale cull would have been rolled out across England resulting in the cruel and inhumane deaths of up to 130,000 badgers. Many animals would have been injured and left to suffer slowly and painfully.

The British government believes that killing badgers would help eradicate bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in cattle. However, comprehensive scientific studies have concluded the opposite — the culls will not help farmers or cattle, and would be disastrous for England’s wildlife. Some scientists even believe the bTB problem will worsen despite culls.

The scale of the proposed culls would lead to the disappearance of badgers from many local areas. Badger numbers across England could be reduced by a third, and across Southwest England by around 50 percent. A more sustainable way forward would be to vaccinate badgers, improve cattle bTB testing and implement measures to arrest the spread of bTB between cattle on farms.

Animal protection organizations — including Care2′s partner Humane Society International (HSI) — have fought hard against the culls. Thank you to the tens of thousands of Care2 members who opposed the UK badger culls via Care2, HSI and citizen petitions. We will continue to monitor the situation and push for a permanent end these badger culls.

Related Stories:

Time is Running Out for Badgers!

Cruel Badger Cull Gets Legal Go Ahead Despite Flaws

UK Badgers To Be Killed In Plan To Protect Cattle

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Sonali G.

12:51PM PDT on Apr 15, 2013

Like the picture, what kind of badger is that as we don't have any like it in the UK!!

April 15
send a green star

becka w.

4:37PM PDT on Apr 2, 2013

FOREVER Well good news for now.

April 2
send a green star

Manel D.

11:17PM PDT on Mar 28, 2013

It does not matter the Badger lives in England or in anywhere else on the Planet. These innocent animals all deserve to be living as the way they were born. Leave them alone. KILL the DEED. & NOT THE BREED. Unbelivable such a country like UK has become such uncivilized while thinking of culling these beautiful animals. They Must be bloody Idiots to take such unethical decisions. Shame on you morons.

March 28
send a green star

Connie O.

6:15PM PDT on Mar 15, 2013

Thanks!

March 15
send a green star

Lisa G.

9:36AM PST on Feb 11, 2013

thanks

February 11
send a green star

Sonia M.

8:25AM PST on Feb 6, 2013

Hope they make it permanent

February 6
send a green star

Lydia W.

8:48AM PST on Jan 25, 2013

I am pleased to say that I actually saw a badger last year successfully making it across a road. I added this to my list of creatures literally seen outside of books {along with an adult porcupine}. I agree with Carol D., we desperately need a vaccine and if you truly witnessed the horror of what is on your table, very few would be able to eat. All life should be sacred.