In a recently study it was found that Welsh badgers are surreptitiously being killed by farmers who fear the spread of TB to their cattle.
Researchers toured agricultural shows and markets asking farmers to take part in an experiment in an attempt to establish how many of them targeted badgers. Because of the sensitivity of the issue, researchers who carried out the study decided to adopt the "randomised response technique method".
The findings suggested that about 10% of farmers had killed a badger in the previous 12 months, with the figure rising to 14.5% among those who farmed cattle.
The researchers believe the findings are important because of concerns that killing a relatively small number of badgers in an uncontrolled way can increase the spread of bovine TB, as infected badgers move on when social groups are disrupted.
They also believe the research ought to be factored in when planning this year's trial cull in England, which will involve the removal of 70% of badgers – as this could be skewed if the animals are also being killed illegally.
John Evans from Save the Badger group in south Wales, said, "It's shocking to realise that 10% of the farmers in Wales have been killing badgers. That begs the question how many farmers are doing this and haven't been quite as frank. Badgers are protected by law. To kill or injure or disturb them is illegal. We hope members of the public will report any suspicious activity involving badgers and also I hope that farmers' leaders will speak out clearly to condemn this action."
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