A GROUP of wildlife enthusiasts are working to protect badgers in Hampshire - and they are inviting people to join them on their volunteer walks.

North East Hampshire Badger Group was founded in 2022 by Nick Cole, a 58-year-old career wealth manager from Church Crookham.

Nick has had a lifelong interest in nature and wildlife advocacy, walking raptor survey transects for the Hawk Conservancy Trust in Andover, supporting local biodiversity and wildlife groups. 

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Nick said: "I founded a badger monitoring and protection group in North East Hampshire to safeguard the welfare, conservation and protection of badgers, their setts and habitats in the county.

"From small beginnings, we're now growing quickly and hope to one day drop the 'North East' from our name and be able to reach, help and advise on badger-related concerns and issues across the whole of Hampshire.

"Not many people realise that despite being a protected species under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992, badgers are the most persecuted mammal in the UK and are frequently threatened by property development, loss of habitat and, of course, the Government sponsored badger cull which first came to Hampshire in 2021."

The group records badger sett locations, surveying as many as possible, and determining the setts most at risk from persecution, development and roads. The data accumulated is used to advise local authorities on property applications that may adversely affect badgers and to protect vulnerable badger setts.

Basingstoke Gazette:

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It has been asked by the Hampshire Police Rural Crime Team to provide a view on a potential sett disturbance it is investigating and to also report suspected badger and other wildlife crimes to the police. Such crimes include sett disturbance (blocking/digging), badger baiting with dogs and poisoning.

Once a month between September and April, the group meet up for a walk to complete a sett survey of a specific area, where new members are shown how to identify field signs and locate setts, and what data to record when one is found.

Nick added: "It's a great way for people to get out in nature, learn new skills, find out more about badgers and their ecology and get some exercise. We're always delighted to welcome new members, followers on our social media platforms and to hear from folk interested in learning more about the European badger, how it lives and the important ecological role it plays."

For more go to northeasthampshirebadgergroup.com/