The future of Cornwalls badgers is at risk. It is estimated that the badger cull is happening now across 54% of Cornwall. There is no doubt that badgers are an adaptable species and have recovered from past persecution, but might we now be pushing them too far?

How land managers choose to control the bovine tuberculous (bTB) risk associated with badgers, through culling or vaccination, will be crucial for the future of Cornwalls badger population.

Vaccination offers a viable alternative to culling and Cornwall Wildlife Trust wants to see badger vaccination used more widely in Cornwall and beyond. Increasing numbers of farmers and landowners support this alternative and we want them to have the choice to vaccinate badgers instead of culling. The Godfray Review, published last November, supported the Trusts views on badger vaccination. If we can encourage others to choose vaccination over culling, we can collectively begin to untangle badgers from the bovine TB problem.

With your help, our ultimate goal is to vaccinate badgers on our nature reserves throughout Cornwall as part of our long-term badger vaccination project.