Wildlife carers from the Burnham-On-Sea area were shocked to find a badger spotted on the side of a road near Weston on Thursday (28th April) had died after being caught in a snare.
Secret World Wildlife Rescue carers say it had suffered “horrific injuries.”
Pauline Kidner, founder of Secret World Wildlife Rescue, tolod Burnham-On-Sea.com: “This was an adult male who would have suffered for several days until the snare severed the sternum and spinal cord causing extreme pain.”
“The snare was not attached to any securing line so it is assumed that the badger must have struggled free or been caught on a drag snare which is attached to a loose log.”
“This is the second incredibly cruel incident in a matter of months brought to the attention of Secret World.”
“Sadly, a lactating female badger was found shot in March, again having taken hours or days to die which would have meant that her dependent cubs would have died too.”
“Persecution of badgers has increased dramatically since the culling programmes have been rolled out. The badger remains a protected species and killing without a licence is illegal.”
“Snares are indiscriminate and are a despicable way of trapping and injuring any animal. No animal deserves to suffer in this way. We are appealing to anyone with any knowledge of wildlife crime to report it to their Police Wildlife Liaison Officer or the National Wildlife Crime Unit.”
