Here be badgers!

Tell-tale prints in drying mud - hooray! The wide foot with its five claws is unmistakeable. Badgers are numerous around here although rarely seen unless in the shadows of dawn or dusk. Their paths and diggings are everywhere though.

Last week, MPs voted overwhelmingly against the government's policy to 'cull' (exterminate) badgers in some areas of England in an attempt to control the spread of bovine tuberculosis. Trials have demonstrated that the killings have been both inhumane and ineffective, as opponents predicted. Four years ago a cull was attempted in north Pembrokeshire but landowners confronted the masked shooters who entered their property without permission and eventually the trial was called off.

Although there is an association between bovine TB and the disease in badgers the jury is still out as to if, and how, there is transmission between the species. The experiment of eliminating badgers was flawed from the start because they are territorial animals and if removed from one area neighbours will move into the vacant space.

(I think this mono Monday was designated as a water theme. It was wet here until a couple of weeks ago but is now drying up nicely.)