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Urban badger setts: characteristics, patterns of use and management implications

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-07, 23:57 authored by J Davison, M Huck, R J Delahay, T J Roper
Damage caused by badger setts is an important source of human–carnivore con?ict in urban areas of the UK, yet little is known about the spatial distribution of urban badger setts or their pattern of occupation. We compared the density, spatial distribution and size of setts in four urban and two rural study areas in the UK and assessed the applicability to urban systems of distinguishing between ‘main’ and ‘outlier’ setts. In addition, we used radio-telemetry to investigate diurnal patterns of sett use in one urban area (Brighton). It was possible to distinguish between main and outlier setts in urban environments, and local sett densities were comparable in urban and rural areas. However, urban badgers used substantially fewer setts than did a nearby rural population, and they spent a smaller proportion of days in outlier setts. Social groups with larger ranges had more setts available to them and, within groups, individuals with larger ranges used more setts. Outliers appeared to serve multiple functions, including allowing ef?cient and safe travel to important parts of the home range. We conclude that sett densities can be high in urban habitats, suggesting signi?cant potential for sett-related problems to arise. The fact that urban main setts can be distinguished from outliers enables management actions to be tailored accordingly. In particular, because main setts seem to represent a particularly valuable resource to urban badgers, alternatives to the closure of problem main setts need to be considered

History

Publication status

  • Published

Journal

Journal of Zoology

ISSN

0952-8369

Publisher

Wiley-Blackwell (for The Zoological Society of London)

Issue

2

Volume

275

Page range

190-200

Department affiliated with

  • Biology and Environmental Science Publications

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2013-02-12

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