Use of badger tunnels on Highway Agency schemes in England

Published source details Eldridge B. & Wynn J. (2011) Use of badger tunnels on Highway Agency schemes in England. Conservation Evidence, 8, 53-57.
Share Tweet Email

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Install barrier fencing and underpasses along roads Action Link

Install barrier fencing and underpasses along roads

A replicated study in 2010 at 38 sites along nine roads in England, UK (Eldridge & Wynn 2011) found that underpasses, in areas with roadside fencing, were used by badgers Meles meles, Eurasian otters Lutra lutra, red foxes Vulpes vulpes, European hedgehogs Erinaceus europaeus and brown rats Rattus rattus to cross roads. Of 38 underpasses monitored, 34 were used by badgers. Eurasian otters, red foxes, European hedgehogs and brown rats used underpasses, but the number of underpasses used or crossing frequencies are not reported. Badger footprints were recorded 7–8 times in 14 underpasses, 4–6 times in 11 underpasses and 1–3 times in 9 underpasses. Mammals were monitored in 38 underpasses, installed in 2003–2007, under single carriageway roads (16 underpasses), dual carriageways (20 underpasses), a motorway (one underpass) and a junction (one underpass). Underpasses were 20–120 m long, 0.3–1 m in diameter (most were 0.6 m diameter) and were made of concrete and corrugated iron. Roadside fence characteristics are not specified. Mammals were surveyed weekly, between August and October 2010, by monitoring footprints in a clay mat (45 × 45 cm) at the entrance of each underpass.

(Summarised by: Ricardo Rocha )