A GROUP is calling on the public to help save the lives of badgers.

The Clwyd Badger Group has joined the Badger Trusts’ “Give Badgers a Brake campaign” to help the public report any incidents, which in turn can help prevent further fatalities in the species.

Due to the exceptionally mild winter, badgers are far more active than typical for this time of year.

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Clwyd Badger Group has issued warnings that they have already exceeded the worst January and March on record for badgers hit by cars in North Wales.

Badgers are nocturnal creatures of habit. Family groups living in a sett will use the same well-worn paths to access foraging grounds that they have used for generations.

As a result of development, many of the UK's roads now intertwine with these well-established routes and, with the badger’s poor eyesight, a recent survey ranked badgers at the top of the list making them the most commonly killed British species on our roads.

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The Leader: RTA photo, Buckley by Daniel RoseRTA photo, Buckley by Daniel Rose

Now is the time when sows (female badgers) will be getting ready to give birth to their litters and need to increase the amount of food they have to forage for. Most parents will know just how tired they'll be so their reflexes won’t be the same.

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Reporting sightings of dead badgers allows Clwyd Badger Group to find hot-spots for fatalities and campaign for mitigation efforts such as bridges, tunnels, and signs to ensure badgers can cross roads safely.

Dan Rose, Road Traffic Accident (RTA) Recorder for the Charity since 2017 said: “We’re so grateful for anyone who can report what they see. All the information is checked and recorded.

"We need clear information with each report: Location (a lot of people are now using What3Words app to give precise and accurate recording) and also the condition of the RTA so that we can decide if it will be suitable for evaluation by the Welsh Government Veterinary Service”. 

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He added: “We’re trying to make it as easy as possible for people to report RTAs in North Wales so now you can even report via WhatsApp, by mobile 07976962251 or via email to badgerrta@gmail.com"

If you are driving, don't forget these #GiveUsABrake steps to reduce wildlife accidents on the road:

  • Slow down – please be especially vigilant at night, and during dawn and dusk
  • Report sightings of dead badgers
  • Spread the message among your friends and family

Clwyd Badger Group urges everyone to get in touch with sightings across North Wales but emailing badgerrta@gmail.com or WhatsApp 07976962251 and to support Clwyd Badger Group (clwydbadgergroup.org.uk)