Frequent testing of cattle is a far more effective way of controlling bovine tuberculosis (TB) than culling badgers, research suggests. A new computer simulation showed that vigilant cattle testing can eventually eradicate the disease whether or not badgers are culled. Badger culling alone did not lead to TB eradication, according to the model. The research […]
Tag: Badger
Badger cull cost over £3,000 for each animal killed
The first of two controversial badger culls in England cost £3,350 for every badger killed. Official figures show that the pilots cost the taxpayer £6.3m in their first year, during which 1,879 badgers were killed in Gloucestershire and Somerset. The Government said the costs were high due to monitoring of the humaneness and efficacy of […]
New round of English badger culls given go-ahead
The culling of badgers to tackle tuberculosis in cattle has been given the go-ahead in two pilot areas for a second year. Natural England has issued authorisation letters for a new round of culling in Gloucestershire and Somerset, confirming that the criteria for allowing the second year of the four-year schemes had been met. Under […]
Badger cull pilot risks spreading bovine TB further, study says
A pilot scheme to selectively cull badgers testing positive for tuberculosis risks spreading the disease further, scientists have warned. The new bovine TB control strategy to be piloted in Northern Ireland will carry out live tests on badgers with the aim of vaccinating healthy animals and culling infected ones, as part of efforts to reduce […]
Power line nests put US ravens in pole position for prey
Ravens in the US are building their nests on electricity power lines and using the height to target their prey, according to new research. The scientists say the majority of ravens in the study area were now living on transmission poles and posed a bigger threat to endangered species. Raven numbers in western states have […]
POLL: Should the cull of badgers be allowed to continue in 2014?
This year will be pivotal for one of the most controversial policies involving animal welfare in recent times, when the government decides whether to proceed with extending the badger cull pilots, which began last summer in the areas of Gloucestershire and Somerset, to other parts of England. The effectiveness of the trials is currently being assessed […]
‘Badgers are moving the goalposts’ says Owen Paterson of cull
The controversial badger cull in England has been branded a “farce” by opponents after ministers confirmed the marksmen have been forced to seek extensions in order to kill the minimum number required. Despite the government slashing by two-thirds in 12 months its estimate of the number of badgers in the Somerset cull zone, marksmen still […]
Badger cull has killed less than half the number of animals intended
The controversial badger cull in England has failed to kill even half the minimum number of animals needed to ensure tuberculosis in cattle is curbed, sources have told the Guardian. Scientists say the failure may well result in more rather than fewer bovine TB infections, while cull opponents are calling for an immediate end to […]