| The results of the Scottish Badger Distribution Survey 2006 - 2009 | ||
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POLLOK COUNTRY PARK in Glasgow today hosts the launch of the results of the Scottish Badger Distribution Survey, a 3-year Lottery-funded project to determine the current status of badgers in Scotland. The survey, led by the charity Scottish Badgers, is the largest of its kind ever conducted in Scotland. It has involved a network of almost 600 volunteers, surveying almost 900 sites across Scotland. It is now estimated that there are approximately 9000 badger social groups, or ‘clans’, in Scotland. This represents a healthy but moderate population in relation to the land mass of Scotland, which appears to have increased since previous studies, a trend also apparent in the rest of the UK badger population. Important habitats for badgers in Scotland have been shown to include woodland and farmland, but surprisingly badgers are also present on Scotland’s most barren moorlands, coastal sites and urban areas. The Survey Coordinator, Elaine Rainey, said: “Many think of badgers as essentially woodland creatures. Although this is true in the majority of cases, we are now seeing badgers adapting to a wide range of habitats. The Scottish Badger Distribution Survey has been instrumental in providing a snapshot of where badgers are living in Scotland and in what densities.” Volunteer surveyors found badger setts in almost all areas of Scotland, from the furthest corners of north-west Sutherland, through Glasgow and Edinburgh, to the Isle of Arran and the Scottish Borders. Volunteers came from all walks of life, including students, practising ecologists, children’s wildlife clubs, local badger groups and the recently retired. Elaine said: “One of the great things about the survey was that almost everyone was able to get involved. The free training provided by Scottish Badgers meant that even beginners could learn the skills to undertake a badger survey and in turn provide high quality scientific data which we were then able to feed back to our statisticians for analysis. This is a true example of citizen science in action.” Environment Minister, Roseanna Cunningham, said: “This is the most comprehensive and detailed study ever undertaken on badgers in Scotland. That this thorough and professional work was undertaken by volunteers is testament to their enthusiasm for the species.” Further details on the results of the Scottish Badger Distribution Survey can be downloaded from the 'Downloads' section of the website. Full copies of the report can be purchased from elaine@scottishbadgers.org.uk, Tel.: 0789 677 1867. |
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