Oxfordshire Badger Group (OBG) launched our petition ‘Oxford University’s Scientists Must Speak Out Against Badger Extermination’ on 3rd April 2024 and now, just three weeks later, almost 19,000 people have signed their agreement.  The petition focuses on the opinion that the science being used by the government in proposing to extend the cull is flawed, and that it misinterprets the work of Oxford Scientists.  

Behind the science, OBG shares the emotions expressed in many of the comments made in our petition: sorrow; anger; disbelief; horror – and more. We are all volunteers who work to protect badgers in many ways – from rescuing them when they get themselves into trouble. Working to get them the best possible outcome when developments encroach on their setts. Checking those injured on the roads and getting them to a wildlife rescue if they are still alive. And of course,  vaccinating  them against bovine TB, free of charge.  We are privileged to see these iconic mammals and cannot conceive of a day when they may no longer be there.

And so, we wanted to let you know that watching between 1,000 and 2,000 people per day signing our petition and knowing that there are almost 19,000 people like-minded people out there is uplifting for us in what is a challenging time for badgers. Thank you to those of you who have signed. Please continue to share and tell everyone that the badger cull is far from over!

Together we can stop the horror – DEFRA have been forced to extend the cull consultation by 3 weeks – it now ends 13th May.  We'll be sharing guidance on how best to respond as soon as it's ready.