Four badgers were found shot dead in a woodland area near Tewkesbury, sparking concern among local wildlife groups and law enforcement. Gloucestershire Police were alerted on Saturday, March 21, after three dead badgers were discovered along a public footpath running along the north side of Buckland Wood in Broadway.
Investigations indicate that the badgers were shot just days before the discovery. Additionally, the Badger Trust and Gloucestershire Badger Group reported a fourth badger found dead nearby, believed to have suffered the same fate.
PC Parker of the Rural Crime Team emphasized the legal protections afforded to badgers in the UK: “Badgers are protected by law, and it is a criminal offence to intentionally capture, kill, or injure one. This incident has deeply upset the wildlife community, and we are committed to identifying those responsible.”
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Craig Fellowes MBE, Wildlife Crime Manager and Trainer for the Badger Trust, remarked on the ongoing illegal persecution of badgers despite strict legal safeguards: “Badgers continue to be unlawfully targeted. They are not vermin and are fully protected under the Protection of Badgers Act. Illegal shooting can lead to six months’ imprisonment or an unlimited fine.”
The recent incident highlights the challenges faced by badgers across the UK. Authorities urge anyone with information to come forward by contacting Gloucestershire Police, local wildlife groups, or anonymously via Crimestoppers. Enquiries are ongoing, and the police request that any relevant information be submitted through the online form, quoting incident 110 of 22 March.