Concerns raised over Hamilton badger ‘evacuation’

Jul 9 2009 by Alastair McNeill, Hamilton Advertiser

WORK carried out to ‘evacuate’ badgers from Hamilton’s Cadzow Bing was this week criticised by an animal welfare group.

Residents near the bing last week called out a Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals inspector after workmen installed measures to prevent the badgers from returning to their sett.

The SSPCA described the ‘sett mitigation’ or ‘exclusion’ work as legal, but questioned its timing since badgers would have young at this time of year.

A Hutchison Street resident said she was concerned about the nature of work being carried out and its effect on wildlife.

She said: “Workmen appeared last Thursday and began to install trap-like structures on the side of the bing.

“It came as a complete surprise. No-one around here as far as I know was given notification that this was going to take place.

“It’s been said that the badgers are using a new sett. But if that’s the case then why are they putting in these devices in the area?”

SSPCA inspector Mike Flynn said: “Although the sett mitigation is legally in place, with a permit issued by Scottish Natural Heritage, we at the SSPCA do not condone this action and believe it would have been better carried out later in the year as the badgers are currently rearing their young.”

Plans by developers Cruden Estates to level the bing to make way for houses were revived earlier this year.

An earlier application had been withdrawn in March 2007.

South Lanarkshire are currently considering Cruden’s application.

If approved, 12 or more trucks an hour will visit the site during stabilisation and removal works.

SNH said this week it had discussed the work with the developer.

A spokesman explained a licence had been granted for the exclusion and destruction of outlier or subsidiary setts for slope-stabilisation works.

He added: “An artificial sett has been created by the developer to compensate for the loss of these setts and this sett is already in use by the badgers.

“Although no licence application has been granted for the destruction of the main sett, SNH has already been in discussions with the developer about these works.

“Our advice is that a second artificial sett must be in place and available to the badgers prior to the exclusion and destruction of the main sett before a licence will be granted.”

Badger welfare group Scottish Badgers described the exclusion work as “common practice.”

The group’s Ian Hutchison said: “Any developer that wishes to carry out this kind of work has to make a strong case to SNH.

“If badgers have moved on to an artificial sett, a gate is put over the entrances to an existing sett.

“A flap on the gate allows the badgers to get outside that sett, but not back in again.

“The gates will be monitored over a period of time until those carrying out the operation are satisfied that there are no animals left inside the sett.

“I expect the work started on July 1 as the breeding season is December 1 to June 30. The cubs are getting quite big now, so I don’t think small animals will get left behind.”

Cruden Estates did not respond to the Advertiser’s call before our deadline.