Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

The effectiveness of barriers to badger Meles meles immigration in the Irish Four Area project

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
European Journal of Wildlife Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study’s objective was to estimate the permeability of barriers to badger immigration during the Irish Four Area project. These barriers were at the boundaries of removal areas, where there was proactive culling of badgers. Data from the last 3 years of the study were used. Each length of barrier was allocated a space within the removal area. These were further sub-divided into spaces of 0–2, 2–5 km and sometimes of more than 5 km from the edge of the removal area. It is assumed that all, or some, of the badgers caught within these spaces came across the barriers. The barriers were one of the following: external buffers, sea, rivers and political boundaries. The total lengths of the barriers in all areas were: external buffer 128.5 km; sea 70.9 km; river 78.6 km; political 32.2 km. We assume three scenarios: (1) all badgers caught in the final 3 years were immigrants, (2) 75% were immigrants or (3) 50% were immigrants. We test these scenarios using chi-square tests, applying internal buffers of 1 km to counter movements of badgers across zones. Using this approach and multivariate analysis, we found that the permeability of barrier types varied, with sea and external buffers being the most effective barriers. The combined capture data are further examined by the sex ratio in each range, and then the sex ratio in total. Equal numbers of males and females were found, but the source populations were probably predominantly female. If badger management options are to achieve maximum benefits, then the field effectiveness of such barriers needs to be understood.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Batcheler CL, Darwin L, Pracy L (1967) Estimation of opossum (Trichosurus vulpecula) populations and results of poison trials from trapping data. N Z J Sci 10:97–114

    Google Scholar 

  • Bourne J, Donnelly C, Cox D, Gettinby G, Morrison I, Woodroffe R (2007) Bovine TB: The Scientific Evidence. Final Report to the Rt Hon David Miliband MP, Ministry of Agriculture, HMSO, London

  • Brown JH, Munger JC (1985) Experimental manipulation of a desert rodent community by food addition and species removal. Ecology 66:1545–1563 doi:10.2307/1938017

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carpenter PJ, Pope LC, Grig C, Dawson A, Rogers LM, Ervan K, Wilson GJ, Delahay RJ, Cheeseman CL, Burke T (2005) Mating system of the European badger Meles meles, in a high density population. Mol Ecol 14:273–284 doi:10.1111/j.1365-294X.2004.02401.x

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Carter SP, Delahay RJ, Smith GC, Macdonald DW, Riordan P, Etherington TR, Pimley ER, Walker NJ, Cheeseman CL (2007) Culling-induced social perturbation in Eurasian badgers Meles meles and the management of TB in cattle: an analysis of a critical problem in applied ecology. Proc R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 274:2769–2777 doi:10.1098/rspb.2007.0998

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Caughley G, Sinclair ARE (1999) Wildlife ecology. Blackwells, Malden

    Google Scholar 

  • Cheeseman CL, Cresswell WJ, Harris S, Mallinson PJ (1988) Comparison of dispersal and other movements in two badger (Meles meles) populations. Mammal Rev 18:51–59 doi:10.1111/j.1365-2907.1988.tb00071.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clarke GP, White PCL, Harris S (1998) Effects of roads on badger Meles meles populations in south-west England. Biol Conserv 86:117–124 doi:10.1016/S0006-3207(98)00018-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clifton-Hadley RS, Wilesmith JW, Richards MS, Upton P, Johnston S (1995) The occurrence of Mycobacterium bovis infection in and around an area subject to extensive badger (Meles meles) control. Epidemiol Infect 114:179–193

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Corner LAL, Clegg TA, More SJ, Williams DH, O’Boyle I, Costello E, Sleeman DP, Griffin JM (2008) The effect of varying levels of population control on the prevalence of tuberculosis in badgers in Ireland. Res Vet Sci 85:238–249 doi:10.1016/j.rvsc.2007.11.010

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Costello E, Flynn O, O’Grady D, Griffin J, Clegg T, McGrath G (2006) Genotyping of Mycobacterium bovis isolates from badgers in four areas of the Republic of Ireland by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Vet Rec 159:619–623

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Delahay RJ, Wilson GJ, Smith GC, Cheeseman CL (2003) Vaccinating badgers (Meles meles) against Mycobacterium bovis: the ecological considerations. Vet J 166:43–51 doi:10.1016/S1090-0233(03)00071-6

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Delahay RJ, Wilson G, Harris S, Macdonald DW (2008) Badger Meles meles. In: Harris S, Yalden DW (eds) Mammals of the British Isles: a handbook, 4th edn. Mammal Society, Southampton

    Google Scholar 

  • Donnelly CA, Woodroffe R, Cox DR, Bourne J, Gettinby G, Le Fevre AM, McInerney JP (2006) Impact of localised badger culling on tuberculosis incidence in British cattle. Nature 426:834–837 and supplementary information doi:10.1038/nature02192

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Emlen JT, Stokes AW, Davis DE (1949) Methods for estimating populations of Brown rats in urban areas. Ecology 30:430–442 doi:10.2307/1932446

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eves JA (1993) The badger. In: Hayden TJ (ed) Royal Irish Academy, Dublin, pp 166–173

  • Eves JA (1999) Impact of badger removal on bovine tuberculosis in east County Offaly. Ir Vet J 52:229–236

    Google Scholar 

  • Good M (2006) Bovine tuberculosis eradication in Ireland. Ir Vet J 59(3):154–162

    Google Scholar 

  • Gormley E, Costello E (2003) Tuberculosis and badgers: new approaches to diagnosis and control. J Appl Microbiol 94:80–85 doi:10.1046/j.1365-2672.94.s1.9.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Greentree C, Saunders G, Mcleod L, Hone J (2000) Lamb predation and fox control in south-eastern Australia. J Appl Ecol 37:935–943 doi:10.1046/j.1365-2664.2000.00530.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Griffin JM, Williams DH, Kelly GE, Clegg TA, O’Boyle I, Collins JD, More SJ (2005a) The impact of badger removal on the control of tuberculosis in cattle herds in Ireland. Prev Vet Med 67:237–266 doi:10.1016/j.prevetmed.2004.10.009

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Griffin JM, More SJ, Clegg TA, Collins JD, O’Boyle I, Williams DH, Kelly GE, Costello E, Sleeman DP, O’Shea F, Duggan M, Lavin DPT (2005b) Tuberculosis in cattle: the results of the four-area project. Ir Vet J 58:629–636

    Google Scholar 

  • Herrera CM (1989) Frugivory and seed dispersal by carnivorous mammals, and associated fruit characteristics, in undisturbed Mediterranean habitats. Oikos 55:250–262 doi:10.2307/3565429

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jones CG, Lawton JH, Shachak M (1995) Organisms as ecosystem engineers. Oikos 69:373–386 doi:10.2307/3545850

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kelly GE, Condon J, More SJ, Dolan L, Higgins I, Eves J (2007) A long-term observational study of the impact of removal on herd restrictions due to bovine TB in the Irish midlands during 1989–2004. Epidemiol Infect 136:1362–1376 doi:10.1017/S0950268807000027

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Klemola T, Koivula M, Korpimäki E, Norrdahl K (1997) Small mustelid predation slows population growth of Microtus voles—a predator reduction experiment. J Anim Ecol 66:607–614 doi:10.2307/5914

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Korpimäki E, Norrdahl K (1998) Experimental reduction of predators reverses the crash phase of small-rodent cycles. Ecology 79:2448–2455

    Google Scholar 

  • Lawton C, Rochford J (2007) The recovery of grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) populations after intensive control. Biol Environ Proc R Ir Acad 107B:19–29 doi:10.3318/BIOE.2007.107.1.19

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leslie PH, Davis DHS (1939) An attempt to determine the absolute number of rats on a given area. J Anim Ecol 8:94–113 doi:10.2307/1255

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MacDonald G (2003) Biogeography: space, time and life. Wiley, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Marmi J, López-Giráldez F, Macdonald DW, Calafell F, Zholnerovskayas E, Domingo-Roura X (2006) Mitochondrial DNA reveals s strong phylogeographic structure in the badger across Europe. Mol Ecol 15:1007–1020 doi:10.1111/j.1365-294X.2006.02747.x

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McGrath G (2001) An evaluation of the role of Geographical Information System technology for the prediction of badger sett location in Ireland. Unpublished M.Sc. thesis. Trinity College, Dublin

  • More S (2004) The impact of badger removal on the control of tuberculosis in cattle herds in Ireland. A report prepared for the Minister of Agriculture and Food, December 2004. Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. University College, Dublin

    Google Scholar 

  • More SJ, Good M (2005) The tuberculosis eradication programme in Ireland: a review of scientific and policy advances since 1988. Vet Microbiol 112:239–251 doi:10.1016/j.vetmic.2005.11.022

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Neal E, Cheeseman C (1996) Badgers. T & AD Poyser, London

    Google Scholar 

  • O’Corry-Crowe G, Hammond RF, Eves J, Hayden TJ (1996) The effect of reduction in badger density on the spatial organisation and activity of badgers Meles meles L. in relation to farms in central Ireland. Biol Environ Proc R Ir Acad 96B:147–158

    Google Scholar 

  • Ó’ Máirtín D, Williams DH, Griffin JM, Dolan L, Eves JA (1998) The effect of a badger removal programme on the incidence of tuberculosis in an Irish cattle population. Prev Vet Med 34:47–56

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pertoldi C, Loescheke V, Madsen AB, Randi E, Mucci N (2001) Effects of habitat fragmentation on the Eurasian Badger Meles meles subpopulations in Denmark. Hystrix 8:9–115

    Google Scholar 

  • Pertoldi C, Loeschcke V, Madsen AB, Randi E, Mucci N (2005) Present and past microsatellite variation and assessment of genetic structure in Eurasian badger (Meles meles) in Denmark. J Zool 265:387–394

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pope LC, Domingo-Roura X, Ervan K, Burke T (2006) Isolation by distance and gene flow in the Eurasian badger (Meles meles) at both a local and broad scale. Mol Ecol 15:371–386

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pope LC, Butlin RK, Wilson GJ, Woodroffe R, Erven K, Conyers CM, Franklin T, Delahay RJ, Cheeseman CL, Burke T (2007) Genetic evidence that culling increases badger movement: implications for the spread of bovine tuberculosis. Mol Ecol 16:4919–4929

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Reynolds JC, Goddard HN, Brockless MH (1993) The impact of local fox (Vulpes vulpes) removal on fox populations at two sites in southern England. Gibier Fauna Sauvage 10:319–334

    Google Scholar 

  • Rogers LM, Cheeseman CL, Mallinson PJ, Clifton-Hadley R (1997) The demography of a high density (Meles meles) population in the west of England. J Zool 242:705–728

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • SAS Institute Inc (2003) SAS online doc®, version 9.1.3. SAS Institute, Cary

  • Seiler A, Helldin J-0 (2006) Mortality in wildlife to do with transportation. In: Davenport J, Davenport J (eds) The ecology of transport: managing mobility for the environment. Springer, Dordrecht

    Google Scholar 

  • Skinner C, Skinner P, Harris S (1991) An analysis of some of the factors affecting the current distribution of badger Meles meles setts in Essex. Mamm Rev 21:51–65

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sleeman DP (1992) Long distance movements in an Irish badger population. In: Priede IG, Swift JM (eds) Wildlife telemetry. Ellis Horwood, Chichester, pp 670–675

    Google Scholar 

  • Sleeman DP, Mulcahy MF (2005) Loss of territoriality in a local badger Meles meles population at Kilmurry Co Cork. Ir Nat J 28:11–19

    Google Scholar 

  • Sleeman DP, O’Leary D, Cussen R (1999) The colonisation by badgers (Meles meles) of Coney Island Co Sligo Ireland. Small Carnivore Conservation 20:28–29

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith GC (2002) The role of badger (Meles meles) in rabies epizootiology and the implications for Great Britain. Mamm Rev 32:12–25

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith GC, Cheeseman CL (2007) The efficacy of trapping during the initial proactive culls in the randomized badger culling trail. Vet Rec 160:723–726

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Southey AK, Sleeman DP, Gormley E (2002) Sulfadimethoxine and rhodamine B as oral biomarkers for European badgers. J Wildlife Dis 38:378–384

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tapper SC, Potts GR, Brockless MH (1996) The effect of an experimental reduction in predation pressure on the breeding success and population density of the grey partridges Perdix perdix. J Appl Ecol 33:965–978

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thompson BC (1978) Fence crossing behaviour exhibited by coyotes. Wildl Soc Bull 6:14–17

    Google Scholar 

  • Thomson PC, Marlow NJ, Rose K, Kok NE (2000) The effectiveness of a large scale baiting campaign and an evaluation of a buffer zone strategy for fox control. Wildl Res 27:465–472

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tuyttens FAM, Macdonald DW, Rogers LM, Cheeseman CL, Rodam AW (2000a) Comparative study on the consequences of culling badgers (Meles meles) on biometrics, population dynamics and movement. J Anim Ecol 69:567–580

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tuyttens FAM, Delahay RJ, Macdonald DW, Cheeseman CL, Long B, Donnelly CA (2000b) Spatial perturbation caused by a badger (Meles meles) culling operation: implications for the function of territoriality and control of bovine tuberculosis. J Anim Ecol 69:815–828

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Underhill JE, Angold PG (2000) Effects of roads on wildlife in an intensively modified landscape. Environ Rev 8:21–39

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van der Zee FF, Wiertz J, Ter Braak CJF, van Apeldoorn RC, Vink J (1992) Landscape change as a possible cause of the badger Meles meles L. decline in the Netherlands. Biol Conserv 61:17–22

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wagner KK, Conover MR (1999) Effect of preventative coyote hunting on sheep losses to coyote predation. J Wildl Manage. 63:606–612

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wiertz J (1993) Fluctuations in the Dutch badger Meles meles population between 1960 and 1990. Mamm Rev 23:59–64

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wiertz J, Vink J (1986) The present status of the badger Meles meles (L.1758) in the Netherlands. Lutra 29:21–53

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson WL, Montgomery WI, Elwood RW (1996) The effects of experimental removal of male wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus) on both male and female numbers. J Zool 239:379–416

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Woodroffe R, Macdonald DW, Da Silva J (1993) Dispersal and philopatry in the European badger, Meles meles. J Zool 237:227–239

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Woodroffe R, Donnelly CA, Cox DR, Bourne FJ, Cheeseman CL, Delahay RJ, Gettinby G, McInerney JP, Morrison WI (2006a) Effects of culling on Badger Meles meles spatial organization: implications for the control of bovine tuberculosis. J Appl Ecol 43:1365–2664

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Woodroffe R, Donnelly CA, Jenkins HE, Johnston WT, Cox DR, Bourne FJ, Cheeseman CL, Delahay RJ, Clifton-Hadley RS, Gettinby G, Gilks P, Hewinson RG, McInerney JP, Morrison WI (2006b) Culling and cattle controls influence tuberculosis risk for badgers. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 103:14713–14717

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Woodroffe R, Gilks P, Johnston WT, Le Fevre AM, Cox DR, Donnelly CA, Bourne FJ, Cheeseman CL, Gettinby G, McInerney JP, Morrison WI (2007) Effects of culling on badger abundance: implications for tuberculosis control. J Zool 274:28–37

    Google Scholar 

  • Zande Van Den L, Vilet Van de M, Pertoldi C, Loeschcke V, Müskens G, Bijlsma R (2007) Genetic structure within and among regional populations of the Eurasian badger (Meles meles) from Denmark and the Netherlands. J Zool 271:302–309

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the contribution of the staff of the District Veterinary offices and farm relief service personnel involved in the field work. We also wish to thank Daniel M. Collins and Guy McGrath, Dan for work on data and figures especially area data needed for late drafts and Guy for his contribution to the zones idea, and both Peter Jones and Tony Fitzgerald of University College.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, Ecology and Plant Science, University College, Cork, Ireland

    D. P. Sleeman & J. Davenport

  2. Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis, UCD School of Agriculture, Food Science and Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland

    S. J. More & T. A. Clegg

  3. Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Agriculture House, Kildare Street, Dublin, Ireland

    J. M. Griffin

  4. Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, The Glen, Waterford, Ireland

    I. O’Boyle

Authors
  1. D. P. Sleeman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. J. Davenport
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. S. J. More
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. T. A. Clegg
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. J. M. Griffin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. I. O’Boyle
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to D. P. Sleeman.

Additional information

Communicated by C. Gortázar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Sleeman, D.P., Davenport, J., More, S.J. et al. The effectiveness of barriers to badger Meles meles immigration in the Irish Four Area project. Eur J Wildl Res 55, 267–278 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-008-0241-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-008-0241-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation