Badger Trust calls for urgent action as badger shootings increase. Help protect these vital creatures—report suspicious activity!
A Troubling Trend
Badger Trust has noted a disturbing increase in the number of badgers found dead with gunshot wounds. So far in 2025, Badger Trust has received reports of 11 badgers shot, compared to 16 confirmed cases for the entirety of 2024.
Badger Trust has received 11 reports of badgers with gunshot wounds in 2025 so far, compared to 16 in the whole of 2024.
Badgers and their setts are protected under the Protection of Badgers Act (1992), which makes it illegal to harm, kill, or disturb badgers. Yet, despite these legal protections, reports of badgers being shot appear to be increasing, leaving conservationists and wildlife advocates deeply concerned.
The annual report produced by Wildlife and Countryside Link revealed alarmingly high reports of wildlife crime in England and Wales in 2023, with a 6% increase in badger crime incidents [1]. However, conviction rates remain low.
Understanding the Law
Badgers have a long history of cruelty and persecution in the UK, spanning hundreds of years. To this day, badgers remain among the most persecuted of all species despite having one of the highest levels of legal protection.
Badgers remain among the most persecuted of all species despite having one of the highest levels of legal protection.
The Protection of Badgers Act strictly prohibits the killing, harming, or disturbing of badgers and their setts. Violations can lead to an unlimited fine and or up to six months of imprisonment. Yet, despite these severe consequences, enforcement remains inconsistent, and perpetrators often go unpunished. Badger Trust has expressed frustration that those responsible are rarely held accountable, which could embolden further illegal activities.
Why do badgers matter?
Badgers play a vital role in maintaining the health of their habitats. Their digging and foraging aerate the soil, improving nutrient cycling and helping wildlife, plants, and fungi flourish. A decline in badger populations can have ripple effects, disrupting the delicate balance, disturbing local ecosystems and reducing biodiversity. Protecting badgers isn’t just a moral obligation — it’s an ecological necessity.
What’s Fueling the Violence?
While the exact reasons behind the increase in shootings are unclear, misconceptions about badgers, particularly their perceived role in spreading bovine tuberculosis (bTB), may be contributing to the problem. Badgers may also be targeted by individuals engaging in illegal wildlife persecution or blood sports.
Additionally, government-endorsed culling can create the false perception that harming badgers is acceptable or even legal [2], reinforcing harmful attitudes, weakening public respect for wildlife protection laws and leading to an increase in unlawful killings.
Furthermore, police wildlife crime units are under intense pressure, with many units broken up or staff reduced, undermining the ability of law enforcement to act swiftly to bring perpetrators to justice.
What can be done?
The apparent rise in badger shootings is not just a threat to wildlife, but a violation of the laws meant to protect them. As badger killings rise, the need for stricter enforcement and public awareness becomes more urgent. Without accountability and protection, badger populations — and the ecosystems they support — could suffer irreversible damage. Now is the time to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice and that these iconic animals are safeguarded for future generations.
Badger Trust is calling for stronger law enforcement and greater public vigilance to protect badgers from harm. Increased awareness and improved reporting can lead to faster investigations and stronger enforcement, helping to curb this disturbing trend. Additionally, wildlife advocates are urging harsher penalties and quicker investigations to deter future offenders. What can the public do if they suspect a crime?
The public can play a vital role in ensuring that badgers thrive in their natural habitats by staying informed and reporting suspicious activities. It’s time to turn concern into action and protect these essential guardians of the countryside.
Remember the three Rs: Recognise, Record, Report
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If a crime is currently taking place, call the police on 999
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If you find evidence of a crime having been committed previously, notify the police using 101 or their online reporting centres.
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Report Badger crime to Badger Trust, so that we can monitor national trends in badger persecution.
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If you find an injured badger, contact your local badger group or wildlife hospital to seek assistance, and report this to the RSPCA as a priority.
The public can learn more about badger crime, including how to Recognise, Record, and Report on the Badger Trust website, or using our Badger Watch App.
Take Action: Report badger crime now
Download the FREE Badger Watch App
The Badger Watch App is a user-friendly, one-stop shop of information on the law and what to do when witnessing badger crime, all quickly accessible on your phone.
https://wcl.org.uk/docs/2024/WCL_Wildlife_Crime_2023_Final.pdf [Date accessed: 24.03.2025]
[2] Chapron, G. and Treves, A., 2016. Blood does not buy goodwill: allowing culling increases poaching of a large carnivore. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 283(1830), p.20152939.
