PROTOCOL FOR SETT MONITORS (checking setts) When carrying out a routine sett check; ALWAYS: Have precise location of sett to hand, grid ref, name/ no of road, where access to site can be obtained. Police rendezvous point. Carry a mobile phone, with emergency nos of Police, LBG and RSPCA, a camera, pen and paper. Check for any vehicles, parked in locality - make a note of; Reg. Nos, make, model and colour of vehicle(s). Approach the sett quietly, look and listen for any unusual sights or sounds, such as dogs barking, human voices etc. Tread carefully, when checking setts, try to avoid walking on badger paths and spoil heaps (if a crime has taken place this avoids contaminating or destroying critical evidence!). Make notes on the current status of the sett (activity level at each entrance plus evidence). Records can be used in court to show that a sett WAS active and was occupied by badgers. See sett monitor training guides for further information.
PROTOCOL - FINDING A CRIME IN PROGRESS AT A BADGER SETT DO NOT APPROACH OR CHALLENGE ANYONE Try to avoid being seen (they usually have a "look out") Make a note of; Number of people present, sex, age, height, build, hair colour and clothing. Make a note of; Number of dogs present breed and colour Make a note of equipment they have such as, spades, locators, guns etc Take photos, if you are in a safe position. Once out of sight and earshot, dial 999 and ask for the police and tell them that a crime is in progress. Give details of the location and information you have taken, including any vehicle details. If taking a report on LBG emergency phone: get as much info as possible, including details and contact details of the caller (they could be a possible witness). Include exact (grid ref if possible) location, descriptions and anything else they can tell you. Keep a record on the logs. Call an experienced LBG crime officer, they will be able to assist/advise the police. Head to police rendezvous point and wait for the police to arrive. (Check if a police wildlife officer is attending/present). Guide the police to the location where the crime is taking place. Report the incident to the Badger Group Database via the website, include log or incident numbers and any details.
PROTOCOL - GASSING / POISONING INCIDENTS The most important thing to remember with potential poisoning or sett gassing incidents is that these substances can be extremely dangerous - lethal in fact, to humans. If you suspect a sett may have been gassed DO NOTHING except call the police and Natural England (0800 321 600). A gassed badger sett will be blocked at all entrances. Never open any blocked badger sett unless someone else is present, since you do not always know in advance if the sett has been gassed. You may take notes, or photographs if you can remain at a safe distance from the sett. 'Cymag' is a white powder containing sodium cyanide that is used for gassing rabbit and rat burrows. On contact with moisture it produces hydrogen cyanide gas. It cannot legally be used for any other species. There are two methods used to gas burrows; a motor-driven or hand pump may be used to blow the powder through the burrows, the holes are then blocked as the powder is seen to emerge or, more commonly, the powder is spooned into the entrances of the burrows, and the holes then blocked up. Badgers need very high concentrations of this substance to kill them therefore if you find a gassed sett, emergency action may help, so long as (a) it is done by experts and (b) you notify NE and the police first. But do not unblock the sett yourself- cyanide gas is extremely dangerous, and the risks should not be underestimated. If you do come across powder it should not be handled or removed, if any touches the skin it must be washed off immediately. Symptoms of cyanide poisoning include irritation of the throat, dizziness, nausea, general weakness and headache, flushing and palpitations, however it may give very little warning before unconsciousness occurs. There are other gassing compounds available based on aluminium phosphide which produce toxic phosphine gas in contact with moisture. There may also be gas cannisters. Do not touch any suspicious substances or packaging. Some poisons can kill with only a tiny level of exposure through the skin. Report the incident to the Badger Group Database via the website, include log or incident numbers and any details.
If you suspect a badger has been poisoned, do not touch it. Cover it if you can and call Natural England Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme (0800 321 600). They will advise you on what to do and should collect the animal and carry out any necessary investigations. Make notes / drap a map of the positioning of the badger, note any discolouration or unusual signs on the body. Take pictures of it in situ. Make notes and take pictures of any poisons or baits (e.g. potato laced with slug pellets / piles of slug pellets / birds or mammals laid out). Report the incident to the police. Report the incident to the Badger Group Database via the website, include log or incident numbers and any details.
PROTOCOL - LAMPING Remember, not all lamping is illegal Legal lamping; The persons must have the landowners written permission, and if using firearms, have and carry a gun licence. Lamping rabbits with dogs is still legal Lamping and shooting foxes (without dogs) is still legal Illegal lamping; If "lampers" do not have permission to be on land Are using dogs to "hunt" prey (excluding rabbits). These include badgers, deer, foxes and hare. If you suspect that illegal lamping is taking place Dial 999, ask for the police and explain that a crime is in progress. Giving exact location as to where the crime is taking place. Obtain a crime / incident number. Report the incident to the Badger Group Database via the website, include log or incident numbers and any details.