Monitoring and population estimation of the European badger Meles meles in Northern Ireland

Abstract

The estimation of animal abundance has a central role in wildlife management and research, including the role of badgers Meles meles in bovine tuberculosis transmission to cattle. This is the first study to examine temporal change in the badger population of Northern Ireland over a medium‐ to long‐term time frame of 14‐18 years by repeating a national survey first conducted during 1990‐1993. A total of 212 1‐km2 squares were surveyed during 2007‐2008 and the number, type and activity of setts therein recorded. Badgers were widespread with 75% of squares containing at least one sett. The mean density of active main setts, which was equivalent to badger social group density, was 0.56 (95% CI: 0.46‐0.67) active main setts per km2 during 2007‐2008. Social group density varied significantly among landclass groups and counties. The total number of social groups was estimated at 7,600 (95% CI: 6,200‐9,000) and, not withstanding probable sources of error in estimating social group size, the total abundance of badgers was estimated to be 34,100 (95% CI: 26,200‐42,000). There was no significant change in the badger population from that recorded during 1990‐1993. A resource selection model provided a relative probability of sett construction at a spatial scale of 25 m. Sett locations were negatively associated with elevation and positively associated with slope, aspect, soil sand content, the presence of cover, and the area of improved grassland and arable agriculture within 300 m.