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Badgers likely not to blame for lamb deaths
Fox DNA was found on all lamb carcasses where predation was confirmed.
Investigation reveals findings after Scottish farmers had raised badger attack concerns.

An investigation launched following concerns in the Scottish farming sector about suspected badger attacks on lambs has found that foxes were most likely responsible.

The study, carried out by Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA), in collaboration with NatureScot, Scottish Land and Estates, and the National Farmers Union Scotland (NFUS), performed post-mortems on 29 lamb carcasses from participating farms.

The results confirmed predation in 48 per cent of cases. Thirty-one per cent had been scavenged after death. It was unclear whether or not predation had taken place in the remaining 21 per cent of cases.

DNA evidence from the 29 carcasses and 10 additional dead or injured lambs swabbed by farmers revealed that fox DNA was present on 87 per cent of samples, including all of the lambs where there was evidence of predation.

In contrast, badger DNA was only found on two lambs, neither of which was available for post-mortem.

The findings are in contrast to concerns that have been raised in recent years about badgers predating on lambs. In a 2020 survey by the NFUS, 20 per cent of respondents reported experiencing badger attacks on livestock.

Sheila George, wildlife biologist at SASA, said: “Livestock predation can be particularly distressing for farmers but identifying the predator from field signs can be challenging. Combining post-mortem and DNA evidence, we found that puncture wounds around the head, neck and throat, and associated bleeding, were a good indicator that fox predation had occurred.

“Despite the abundance of badgers on the study farms, we did not find DNA evidence that they killed lambs or regularly scavenged carcasses.”

Donald Fraser, NatureScot’s head of wildlife management, added: “These findings begin to fill an important gap in our knowledge on lamb predation on Scottish farms and demonstrate the value of high-quality science and evidence in improving our understanding of interactions between wildlife and livestock.”

The full report can be read on the NatureScot website.

Image © Shutterstock

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.