About Us

Why the Gwent Badger Group

Following the passing of the 1973 Act the Gwent Badger Group was formed May 1974 as a small group of people interested uniting their efforts in enforcing the Act locally and estimating its effectiveness.

Before long the small group grew and widened to include people from all parts of the country and all sections of the community. It is encouraging that other Badger Groups have formed throughout the country. The Group aims to protect and study badgers, and where necessary offers assistance in dealing with the problems they may cause.

It was realised that although killing and cruelly ill treating badgers had become illegal, the “sport” was not going to die out overnight. In fact this was found to be the case and badger diggers continued largely unchecked for some time, as very few people were aware of the new Law. The Police also seemed ill informed at first, and members of the Badger Group made great efforts to bring the situation to everyone’s attention.

These days we find that the public and police are most co-operative, and several prosecutions have recently been brought. We would be happier to see heavier fines imposed, and also some of the loopholes in the law plugged.

Hopefully such improvements will be made in time and badgers will have a more complete protection. This is still necessary because, although not in danger of extinction, such things as the recent droughts affect badger numbers, increasing traffic and destruction of habitat- all ever present problems.

It was once thought that with the passing of time the requirement for the Group would cease to exist. We now find the need for a Group is as great as ever and will probably continue for some time.

There seems to be a demand for a society that connects people with like interests and sympathies. Informing the public and particularly children about badgers is one of the Group’ main aims.

We raise funds in the hope of one day buying or renting a woodland area containing a sett as out own reserve. There is a regular newsletter for all members to inform them of points of interest or coming events. We get considerable feedback from our members’ activities in that many people, even non-members have alerted us to diggings or specific problems where we may help.

How can YOU help?

In conclusion, we would appeal for continued public support in the matter of persecution.
Badger digging and baiting still takes place. Anyone witnessing any suspicious activity or disturbance in the region of a badger sett should contact the Police and / or a representative of the Badger Group.

There is no need to get personally involved in any way but a prompt telephone call to the right people could prove invaluable.

Please Click here for Emergency Numbers

TO MAIL US:office@gwentbadgergroup.org.uk

The Gwent Badger Group is a registered Charity: No. 507651