Eyeshine….shhhhhhhhhh…..here they come……I’m hardly breathing…..
Last week, during my stay in the Lake District, I had the pleasure of watching a group of badgers on three, yes, THREE different occasions!
Ooooohhhh….two walking directly towards me! I can even see the steam coming from their bodies.
Now some of you may remember me talking about The Batman in a previous post, a fantastic guy who cares for a few hundred bats, all out of his own pocket while holding down a full-time job AND training volunteers. A hero of mine he is, I raise my hat to him!!!
Well….now I would like to talk about another Super Hero…..The Badger Man!!!!!
This guy is another little star! As well as running an Inn, he fiercely protects and cares for the local badgers. Every evening he feeds them and checks they’re all healthy and accounted for. No farmers can get near his badgers with their guns!
As well as protecting the badgers he looks after the local birds, foxes and deer. He knows what, when and how to feed all these creatures. He is also a serious environmentalist and none of his staff dare so much as throw a bottle cap in the bin…..he roots through the rubbish each evening to ensure ALL that can be is re-cycled!!!
AND the best bit is……he looks just like a badger himself!!! He has a black wiry beard which will probably grow a couple of white streaks as he gets older. AND ….he takes no offense at being compared to a badger….he happily blends in beautifully with his charges!
And so, I also raise my glass and my hat to this WONDERFUL man!!!
It was such a treat to see these creatures close up but it really saddens me to think that in a few weeks a badger cull will take place somewhere near Gloucestershire. So many people are against these culls as there is little sciencific evidence that badgers contribute significantly to the spread of T.B in cattle.
In fact, the last trial in England showed that killing badgers disrupted their social groups which resulted in them moving further afield to establish new groups, and taking T.B with them, which actually led to increases in cases of T.B in cattle.
Given that cattle pass T.B to badgers, deer and other mammels, and that all these animals can’t be slaughtered, it would make sense to me to use a vacine on the cattle, who are regularly tested anyway and destroyed if found to be T.B positive. I do find it shocking that 100 thousand badgres will be shot if these pilot culls are extended, especially as it is not clear how big a part the bagers even play in spreading this disease. Another knee-jerk reaction! When will we ever learn???
As well as culls these creatures have to endure the torment of the badger baiters…..I saw a skinned badger lying by the side of a country path, someone had taken it’s hide as a trophy! Words fail me….
Anyway….it was fantastic watching these beautiful wild animals close up, and it’s comforting to think that the marvelous Badger Man has them under his wing!
Btw…..locally, people call me the hedgehog woman, and people I don’t even know knock on the door with injured hogs!!!! I do hope I don’t grow spines!!!!
How strange to see your badgers… so very different from ours.
Yes, your rock badgers are such different animals….ones I hope to see one day.xxx
I remember when I went to the exact same spot to see the badgers up close – it was incredible. The Badger Man (haha) sounds like a great guy, it’s lovely to see someone dedicated to keep these beautiful animals safe x
Lol….thanks Scarlett….I remember when you where there last time…..You’d LOVE the badger man….he really does look like a badger!xxxxx
I’ve never seen badgers in the wild before. Very exciting sighting!
The first time you see them is incredible! And always such such a thrill. Thanks Debi.xxxxx
I’ve much admiration for people like this.
They’re wonderful animals and I despair at what we do to them. Sadly I’ve never seen any in the wild. xx
Thanks Flighty, yes I admire him too. He sticks his neck out for his causes.
They are fantastic creatures aren’t they and it’s dreadful how they suffer at our hands.
You’ll have to go to the Lakes to see them…if you ever go I’ll send an email re where to see them.xxxxx
I’m pleased to hear that the Badger Man is taking such good care of his wards. I’m sure that was a unforgetable experience.
Thanks Dessie, I’m glad he has their backs too, especially in today’s climate!
Oh yes, totally unforgetable……I can’t wait to go back.xxxxx
Life is full of variety and getting the chance to experience some of the unusual elements of it must be a real treat.
Thanks Menhir, yes we have a wonderfully varied planet and seeing the badgers was a huge treat for me.xxxxx
You were so lucky to see these badgers ! I have only seen two in my life – both dead ! I agree with you that the cull may not necessarily do any good. I have heard all sorts of arguments on both sides, but surely there must be a more humane way to solve the problem without killing them.
And I hope you don’t grow spines either. LOL :))
xx
Thanks Keggy, I am lucky to see live ones. What a shame you have only seen dead ones, if you ever go to the Lakes, send me a PM and I’ll let you know where you can see these beautiful critters.
Yes, the argument rages endlessly re the culls, but the last conclusion was that it made things even worse in the short term, and no different in the long term so I can’t figure out why they wish to continue with the culling……
Lol…..I’m still spine free to date!xxxxx
I’m glad too to know somebody has the badgers under his wing. Not seen any badgers round here for a couple of years now but we did have several come in the garden regularly for a couple of years beforehand…. don’t know what became of them…..
Must have been really special and thrilling to have been out seeing badgers in the night! 🙂 xxxx
Thanks Arose, he’s a great guy and his badgers will be safe, fingers crossed.
Yes, you’ve said you’ve had badgers in the past, maybe it found or started a new sett……maybe you’ll have them again one day.
It was WONDERFUL watching beadgers in the dead of the night and listening to them all snuffling about. xxxxx
wow, wow and wow….such drama! totally agree with your comments around culling these guys. what with them being killed by baiters and motorists too, there will be none left at this rate.
Thanks Karen….It is incredible to see a badger in the wild. They move so quickly and seem so much bigger in the dark somehow.
I couldn’t agree more, yes, we’ll end up with no badgers and that is nothing short of criminal to me. xxxxxx
Oh what a fab chap. Lovely photos. We used to get one in the garden but have not seen it about for awhile. I hope it went and made a family somewhere else.
Oh he is a right little gem GG…you’d love him! I have never had a badger in my garden so I have to confess to a pang or two of jealousy……I hope yours has started a new sett, it’s safer for them up your way.xxxxx
Absolutely splendid post….Fabulous pictures…..Thanks for sharing these..Hugs! :)xx
Thanks Bushka, it’s always such a treat to see a badger or two in the wild. xxxxx
Amazing pictures, PP! Not sure if farmers would agree that badgers don’t spread TB … it seems a very vexed topic.
Thanks Gilly. Yes there is much debate on both sides and the arguments seem to go round and round in circles. Several politicians are now against the culls as the evidence seems to suggest they actually make the problem worse. I think the farmers will have to go down the vaccine route in the end as it’s impossible to eliminate all the creatures that do carry T.B…..it’s awful to think these beautiful animals have to be shot and that 100k could be killed eventually.xxxxx
How wonderful ….. I’m so glad you managed to get to see these lovely creatures ~x~
Thanks Marian, it’s always a treat, have to wait untill next April to see them and the Lakes again!
Glad you had a fab time and thinking you’re new chap is rather smashin!xxxxx