Protected mammals - Badgers

What are they?

Despite being one of our most recognisable mammals, badgers are seldom seen in the wild.  This may be due to their nocturnal habits and they are generally rather shy animals.

Badgers are highly social animals.  They live in networks of underground tunnels called setts.  Most social groups have a number of setts within the territory that they use.  The most important sett is called the main sett, where most activity is found and where breeding takes place.

Find out more about badger ecology...   

How are they protected?

Badgers have been subject to a history of persecution, and as such badgers and their setts are protected by law in the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 (as amended).

Offences

Offences under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 (as amended) include:

• wilfully taking, injuring or killing badgers
• cruelty
• intentionally or recklessly interfering with a badger sett*
• selling and possession
• marking and ringing

* Interfering with a badger sett includes damaging or destroying a badger sett or any part of it, obstructing access to a sett, disturbing a badger whilst it is in a sett, or causing or allowing a dog to enter a badger sett.

Licensing and badgers

Licences are available to allow specified people to carry out actions that could otherwise constitute an offence.  Licences can only be issued for specific purposes that are set out in the legislation.  If you are planning any activities that could affect badgers or their setts, you should make sure that you stay within the law.

Find out more about badgers and licensing. 

*Please Note* The summary of legislation and list of offences on this page are not comprehensive, and is intended for use as a guide only. For a definitive list of offences you should consult the actual legislation.  It is also important to note that this is the law in Scotland, elsewhere in the UK the legislation may differ.