Farnboro John
Well-known member
This is a difficult question and I tend to think that if its a problem individual then removal may be the answer, but if its normal behaviour throughout the population its probably wrong.
To put it another way, on a reserve, where one of the objectives is to show people particular wildlife as well as to preserve it for its own sake, it may be necessary to either redesign the landscape to exclude something (hard with an expert digger and more or less competent climber like a Badger) or control the problem animals. However, the preserved animals in turn need to learn e.g. nest site selection that will work on or off the reserve: its no good wrapping them in cotton wool.
Probably better heads than mine are needed to get the balance right.
John
To put it another way, on a reserve, where one of the objectives is to show people particular wildlife as well as to preserve it for its own sake, it may be necessary to either redesign the landscape to exclude something (hard with an expert digger and more or less competent climber like a Badger) or control the problem animals. However, the preserved animals in turn need to learn e.g. nest site selection that will work on or off the reserve: its no good wrapping them in cotton wool.
Probably better heads than mine are needed to get the balance right.
John