Persecution

Why are badgers protected?
Badgers and their setts are legally protected from intentional cruelty, such as badger-baiting, and from the results of other human activities, such as building developments. The protective legislation has provided a useful tool in deterring the abuse of badgers and in prosecuting those who continue to break the law.

However, it is a sad fact that many thousands of badgers are still killed illegally each year, and the incidents appear to be increasing. Also, due to the nature of the crimes, there are relatively few successful prosecutions. 

The result of a landowner digging an active sett with a
JCB at Ogbourne St. Andrew, Wiltshire.