An Evaluation of Effective Disturbance Mitigation Measures for European Badgers (Meles meles) Occupying Setts During Forestry Operations
Grantee: Stephen McAuliffe
Institution: University of Brighton and Forest Research, United Kingdom
Grant amount: $10,137
Grant type: Seed grants
Focal species: European badger (Meles meles)
Conservation status: Least concern
Disciplines: Animal behavior, physiology, mammalogy, human-wildlife conflicet
Research locations: United Kingdom
Project summary
In order to avoid possible disturbance to European badgers (Meles meles), forestry guidance in England states that activities using heavy machinery should be prohibited within 20 meters of active badger setts. However, this commonly adopted mitigation measure has never been scientifically assessed. As a result, it relies on the untested assumption that noise and vibrations do not disturb badgers if a buffer zone of 20 meters is maintained between forestry operations and setts. This research aims to validate that the approved noise and vibration mitigation buffer distances intended to prevent disturbance from anthropogenic activities are effective. Observations of badger behavior will be made in woodland habitats, and fecal cortisol metabolites will be collected for analysis. If changes in behavior and increases in cortisol levels are not found following exposure to forestry noise and vibration greater than 20 meters away, robust evidence will be provided to validate that badger welfare is not being adversely impacted by legally sanctioned forestry activities.
Why we funded this project
This project will help us understand the welfare impacts of anthropogenic disturbance on a common mammal, and could lead to a very near-term intervention to mitigate them if the project results in a recommendation to increase buffer distances. We hope it will set a precedent for testing and improving animal welfare protection methods routinely advised and adopted by many land-based sectors such as forestry, utilities providers, construction and agriculture.