HL Deb 20 December 2004 vol 667 c133WA
The Countess of Mar

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What has been the estimated badger population for each of the English and Welsh regions in 1975, 1985 and 1995; and what are the most recent population estimates. [HL299]

Lord Whitty

I am not aware of any figures for 1975. However, two surveys were carried out after that. One between 1985 and 19881 and the other between 1994 and 1997.2 The first study gave an estimate of the badger population in Britain as around 250,000. The second study estimated an overall increase of 77 per cent but noted that there was regional variation in the amount of change. Regional breakdowns are available in the 1980s and 1990s surveys, references for which are given below.

English Nature advises there are currently likely to be about 300,000 to 400,000 badgers in Great Britain.

1 Cresswell, P, Harris, S and Jefferies, D J (1990). The history, distribution, status and habitat requirements of the badger in Britain. Nature Conservancy Council, Peterborough.

2 Changes in the British badger population, 1988 to 1997 (1997). G Wilson, S Harris and G McLaren. People's Trust for Endangered Species (ISBN 1 85580 018 7).