The Mystery of the Mystery of the the Strange Badger Deaths

  I think I may have had a brain-glitch with that title. In case you don't know what a badger (Mele meles) looks like...

Photo Chris Crafter

Back in February, 2009, Jon Downes of the Centre for Fortean Zoology (CFZ), sent me this message (I believe also posted on the CFZ web page):

"In past week we've had three badger kills in Glos which people cannot explain -they look like they've been precisely sheared in half and just fallen from the sky- no tracks, no blood, and no sign of the other half.  Those who've seen them feel cat is a possibility perhaps, and so too is human, but it's a mystery, even for the county badger specialist. I'm awaiting a pic from one of the locations."

 I believe that this was sent to me since a "cat" was felt to be a possibility.  By "cat" Downes meant a "non native cat" -puma or leopard.  

Firstly, I was stunned that this was even suggested because although there are cases where a large non native cat has decapitated a lamb with its bite a badger is something totally different. No normal wild living puma or leopard is going to take on a badger and the strength it has behind its claws -not in an area where easy prey such as rabbits, wild fowl or deer -particularly small muntjac deer (Muntiacus)- abound in numbers.

The idea of a large cat cutting a badger in half was just not feasible.

Human...possible since there are some very nasty types roaming around at night illegally hunting, however, the photographs would tell a story.

In the meantime, I contacted Gloucestershire Police force wildlife crimes officer who simply responded: "What? Where? When? Never heard of this!"

I then contacted Mr Keith Hutchin of the Gloucesterhire Badger Trust who had no idea what I was talking about.  He did, however, suggest that I contact Mr Tony Dean of the Gloucestershire Badger Group who would be the "local expert" and might have information. And so I wrote to Mr Dean.

Mr Dean telephoned me and we talked for around 25 minutes.  He told me that he had been observing badgers in the area for over 30 years which meant that he was the "go to man" if these incidents had taken place. 

Mr Dean had not seen any badger cut in half and had only heard of the alleged find from "a big cat fanatic" (name given) who had told him that a "cat" was responsible.  A decomposing badger had been found -cause of death could have been illness or road traffic accident but it was too far gone to tell.

No "kills" or even a single mystery kill. As for part of an animal being dropped "from a great height"...that part of the tory smelt as bad as the decomposing badger would have.

The story was false from start to finish and when I asked the CFZ whether they had received the promised photographs there was silence. Very telling silence.

I mention this since yesterday someone asked whether I had looked into the "mystery badger deaths" in Gloucestershire in 2009 as some sources said up to six were killed before it all stopped.  This all smacked of creating another false mystery and it was not the first time that cryptozoologists have done this -Cannock Chase in Staffordshire is awash with fake stories of all types.

People involved in badger groups or badger watches in the UK are notorious for one thing: they will not disclose where badger setts are or precise numbers. Not only is this to protect badger from the vile Department of Environment Farming and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) culls but also illegal badger baiting -and, yes, that does till go on. I support badger watchers silence 100%.

One thing that you can be sure of is this; had one or six badgers all been mysteriously chopped in half they would know about it as would police wildlife officers.

Faked story

BS10 Fox Post Mortem Results

  Results from the post mortem on the last fox collected a rather large fox (ruler is 18 inches long).

PathologistComment:

"The bodily condition of this fox together with a full stomach would indicate that it died of a fairly acute condition and that intestinal haemorrhage with digested blood extending from the stomach to the anus was the likely cause of death. Discussion with wildlife vets in UK and continental Europe and with toxicologists would suggest that second-generation anticoagulants (SGARs) could cause atypical anticoagulant posioning such as in this fox. This is probably the main differential diagnosis.

Natural England will now take this as a WIIS case and tissue samples will be sent away next week for toxicology.

Further Work:  Histopathology  Toxicology

So after all of its lack of interest and putting up all of its "don't care" arguments WIIS (Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme are stepping in. We might have well had far more evidence before now had they bothered back in June.

So now I wait to see what happens (I doubt I will be informed). Second-generation anticoagulants to be less vague five SGARs are currently authorised for use in the United Kingdom - difenacoum, bromadiolone, brodifacoum, flocoumafen and difethialone.

https://onlinefoxforum.wixsite.com/foxes/about

Rats and How to get Rid of them (Cats, Jack Russell terriers and Foxes fit in here)

 Update. My neighbour looks after her 90 year old aunt and reported that one day she heard a dish moved in the kitchen but found nothing then, upstairs, found holes dug by rats coming from next door where builders were renovating and had dug up drains.

She asked for advice as her aunt would "have a major panic" if she thought that there were rats in the house. I thought this would be a good test so gave her a bottle of Citronella essential oil. On her next visit to her aunts she put drops around the two chewed holes and along kitchen surfaces.

Two weeks later I asked if the problem was still there and was told it was not. No new chewing of the holes and she could find no other traces. She told her aunt the oil was to "freshen the place up a bit". So, yes, in enclosed spaces it does work and is worth getting.

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This matter concerns domestic pets, foxes and other wild life so let's talk about Rats and how to get rid of them.

 I have seen on Face Book today someone stating they have rats. Theresponsewas to put a plate of baked beans outside with poison in them. The other suggestion was to put coca cola out as "rats can't burp so they explode" -now that is village idiot level advice.

If you have rats in the house you can drive them off as there are sonic devices you can plug in and you cannot hear the sound but the rats and mice can and it drives them mental and they leave. I've used these for two years now because of mice and altghough you might hear them rarely they are soon gone.  You can buy plug in ones or ones that operate by battery such as this one...

I have lived in an area with rats and I have had them in the spaces between walls so totalling up all those years comes to 30+? The sonic devices sorted out the problem.

Better Homes offers this advice:

https://www.bhg.com.au/how-to-get-rid-of-rats-in-your-garden

It may be tempting to use traps or poison, but they can pose a risk for dogs, children and native wildlife. It's better to employ methods that deter rats and offer a permanent solution.

Here are six ways to rid your garden of pesky rats for good.

1. Peppermint oil

Rats hate the smell of peppermint oil, so it’s an effective way to drive them away. Moisten some cotton balls with 100 per cent pure peppermint oil and place them in various spots around the garden, including the garage and shed. Reapply the oil a couple of times a week. 

2. Catnip

Get some catnip from a garden centre and plant it in several spots around the garden. Be strategic with your planting and look for signs of rat activity like nests and pellet droppings.

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3. Remove food and water sources

Rats will seek out any sources of food or water in your garden. Make sure your taps aren’t dripping and don’t use a bird bath. Remove bowls of pet food or water at night. If you like to compost, keep it secure and bury any organic material deep in the bin. Make sure lids are tightly closed on bins and don’t leave garbage bags outside for long periods.

4. Keep your garden clean

You can deter rats by keeping your garden clean and tidy. Remove piles of wood and garden clippings; pick up any fallen fruit, berries or vegetables, and cut back overgrown areas.

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5. Soil netting

If you want to protect a new garden from rats, lay a piece of netting just under the soil. This will prevent rats from burrowing and eating roots and bulbs. Determined rats may chew through the netting, so keep an eye out for it. 

6. Sealing gaps

Rats will try to enter your home through any gaps or cracks in external walls. Use an appropriate sealant to block any nooks and crannies. 

Now you may laugh at the Peppermint poil suggestion -I did- but it works. During fine weather in 2020 we had a female rat keep coming under the fence from neighbours and we had two oils to hand (or my sister did); peppermint and citronella.  I thought I'd try the citronella first so covered some cotton wool in it and put it at each of the entry points the rat used. It appeared. Sniffed. Went away. That was it.  A week later the best rat deterrent/killer you can have (the cat next door) took care of one there. Foxes will also take rats as part of their natural diet.

My neighbour asked for advice one day. The builders next door to her aged aunt had dug up drains and were making a lot of noise. While upstairs putting things away she noticed rats had chewed a big hole in a bedroom floor (the age aunt slept downstairs) and found traces of rat in the kitchen.  I gave her a bottle of citronella and she put drops down the holes she had found and also wiped over areas of the kitchen with it. A week later I was told that there were no fresh rat signs and a month after that still no sign. I wish I had known this worked years ago!

Putting commercially purchased rat and mice poison from stores should be illegal and this is because, firstly, the rat poisons used are inhumane despite what pest controllers might tell you. However, the biggest problem is that mis-use by people of these poisons kill many species each year.

Baked beans, bread or other food will be eaten by hedgehogs which are a critically endangered species and it will kill them in a very nasty way. Foxes will take the free meal. Cats will lick at the tomato sauce. Next door's dog gets out -free food! You explain in court why you put poison out where animals could get it and pay the costs financially. Birds will also peck at such food and I have known a number of magpies and crows killed because they ate rat poison. 

Go the natural route and if you are not keen on cats there is one guaranteed killer of rats.  A Jack Russel terrier. Any rat or mouse shows its head then the dog will kill it. 

Oh and That's Farming offered further advice: https://thatsfarming.com/farming-news/farm-hacks-deter-rats/

Farm Hacks – How to deter Rats using home remedies

Many farmers have reported an increase in rat sightings around their farmyards in recent weeks, due in part to feed supplies been kept there.

Using rodenticides on a farm, especially where there are smaller and pet animals, can prove extremely dangerous. This is why many farmers are now seeking other alternative methods of ridding rodents from their property. Check out the number of different home remedy rat deterrents below!

1 – Dried Urea – Did you know that Cow dung is a natural rat repellent? When ingested by the rats, they become extremely ill and begin to vomit, eventually resulting in death. To keep rats away, simply place an old cow ‘pat’ near where some recent rat droppings have been discovered.

2 – Mothballs – Mothballs are actually useful in keeping both rats and mice away. They are poisonous not only to the rodent but also humans, therefore be careful when using Mothballs. Again when using this method, simply place moth balls near any area where rats may be located on your farm.

3- Peppermint – Seeing as rats have a highly sensitive sense of smell, using fragrant plants, herbs and oils are a good way of keeping them away. One such smell which they despise is peppermint. Like the previous methods, Peppermint oil (On cotton balls) or tablets should be placed near where rats have previously been seen or where you know they reside.

This should push them out and keep them away as peppermint will instantly affect the lungs of the rat, killing them in the process. Minty toothpaste is also another option, while others have used other fragrant oils such as caster oil, clove oil and other fragrant products such as toilet cakes. Another option is pepper from the kitchen which produces a pungent aroma which rats detest and once they inhale it into their lungs they die.

4 – Bay Leaves – Rats are attracted to the sweet smell of bay leaves, which is what makes them the perfect trap as Bay leaves are highly toxic to rats. Once ingested they will die. Like all of the other methods, placing bay leaves in areas where rats frequent will help keep them away and at “bay”.

5 – Vegetables – Certain vegetables can also be used effectively to keep rats away. Onions are one such vegetable which have a pungent smell and one which rats and mice hate a lot. They will instantly run away from the smell, making it an effective method.

Peppers are another vegetable which can prove effective as it contains Capsaicin, which is the compound that gives peppers their heat. This heat is also a natural rat deterrent.

6 – Ammonia cleaning products – Sticking with the sense of smell theme, ammonia cleaning agents make for excellent rat repellents. To use, mix 2 cups of ammonia with 200mls of water and 2-3 spoons of detergent and place in a bowl near locations where rats are commonly found.

Ammonia is a super cleaning agent, but it acts as an excellent repelling agent to the rodents.

7 – Owls Feathers – A natural predator of rodents, using owl feathers which have been placed all over your farm will ensure rats and mice do not want to stay there long. Using human hair is also another useful option, as rats and mice tend to stay away from predators.

Other Options – There are many other options available, such as catch and release traps, electric shock traps and much more.

Some farmers also use sound as an effective repellent. Sharp sounds are hated by rats and rodents, causing death on most occasions. Another two options one could use is Baby powder and baking soda. These can both be sprinkled in areas where rats reside, though are not as effective.

One final method used by some is Plaster of Paris. When you mix 100gms of plaster of Paris with 100gms of cornmeal, you created a homemade rodenticide.
There you have it, there are plenty of options available to farmers to help keep rats and mice at bay. No need to jump for the rat traps quite just yet.

DO NOT BE A POISONING IDIOT!

What Can You Do To Help A Sick (mange) or Injured Fox?

 

 For me the last straw was seeing a fox cub, badly manged, that I could not catch. I doubt it survived long.  I really got sick of seeing mange take foxres -it is not just scabbing, biting and hair loss. Eventually there is organ failure and it is not fast or nice.

I really mocked homeopathic medicines and when a "right on" doctor gave me a homeopathic prescription I expressed my disgust but eventually said I wouldtry it -but I'd be making an appointment for the week after. The pharmacy explained that the "It's all water" response was a false pone.  There are a lot of homeopathic remedies that are more water , however, the "correctly made" meds are not.

Disgruntled I made my way home and took the first two tablets. An hour (I was impatient to yell "I told you so!" 1hr 30 minutes later...something happened. My severe sinus blockage (quite painful) became unblocked. "Typical!" I said. So I never took the next dose. Problem fully back. No, it was just coincidence. So I decided I would be my own guinea pig. I took the meds for three days and the problem which nothing had succeeded with before went. I stopped the meds. Problem returned after a day. Still obstinate and not believing in homeopathic meds I started them again and this time continued until the full treatment was complete. 

National Fox Welfare Society: Angelica before and after drop treatment (below)

When the mange started in the local foxes again I knew the RSPCA was not going to help. We had no wildlife centres near Bristol so my option was to watch the mange start, develop and slowly kill the foxes or try the free homeopathic potion.  So what the hell. I got the meds and the drops went into jam sandwiches (cats would eat meat etc but don't go for jam sandwiches). In a couple of weeks I saw the foxes fur return to normal.  The important thing is to use the drops as you see the mange develop. 

I do get angry with people who scream very loudly "It doesn't work -it's water!" You mention wildlife centres have found it works and they are either idiots or "in on the con" and these people will use some rather one sided research from the internet. My response is always this: "What option do you offer to treat mange in foxes?" This is when they have to shut up because they can offer no solution but some will try to argue it out knowing full well its pointless.  

The argument that the drops are "a placebo" is so ridiculous that it cannot be argued with unless "The person believes it will work therefore sees it work"....someone escaped from the home.  

If you use the link below you can find the nearest wildlife rescue centre to where you are that is fox friendly. 

https://helpwildlife.co.uk/gd-home/search/?geodir_search=1&stype=gd_place&s=%20&snear=&sspecies[0]=Foxes&ssanctuary=1&sgeo_lat=&sgeo_lon=&fbclid=IwAR0K9TI9GPmgHQbXilaH7LY4vmlS7LjOcWFjZWuoV19JDVMhRAJgz9loRnc

It does not take long and like the drops its free and what other options are there?  At least give a fox the chance to try to stay alive.

Thank You

 In case anyone needs this in future as mange has been reported in a fox from St Werburgh's...

If you contact the Nationsal Fox Welfare Society they offer free mange meds (drops that go in food) and I've used it and it seems to work, If you contact them just tell them I gave you the contact details.

https://www.national-fox-welfare.com/homeopathic-potion-request