How well do farmers know their badgers? Relating farmer knowledge to ecological survey data

Knowledge of badger distribution is important for the management of bovine tuberculosis. At the farm level, typically the only information on badger activity available is from the farmers themselves. This study compares how well farmer perceptions of badger activity match data obtained from ecologic...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Veterinary record 2017-01, Vol.180 (2), p.48-48
Main Authors: Robertson, A., Delahay, R. J., Wilson, G. J., Vernon, I. J., McDonald, R. A., Judge, J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Agriculture
Animal diseases
Animals
Badgers
Bovine tuberculosis
bTB
Cameras
Cattle
Cattle industry
Disease control
Ecosystem
Epidemiology
Farm buildings
Farmers - psychology
Farmers - statistics & numerical data
Female
Humans
Knowledge
Male
Medical personnel
Middle Aged
Mustelidae
Mycobacterium
Polls & surveys
Reproducibility of Results
Studies
Surveys and Questionnaires
Tuberculosis, Bovine - prevention & control
United Kingdom
Wildlife
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Summary:Knowledge of badger distribution is important for the management of bovine tuberculosis. At the farm level, typically the only information on badger activity available is from the farmers themselves. This study compares how well farmer perceptions of badger activity match data obtained from ecological surveys. Farmer estimates of numbers of badger setts (burrows) surrounding their farms were generally correlated with field survey results, but tended to be underestimates. Farmers correctly recorded 50 per cent of setts recorded in surveys, with larger setts and active setts more likely to be correctly recorded. Badger visits to farm buildings and yards were also monitored using surveillance cameras. The majority of farmers were aware of badger visits to their farm buildings, but in 22 per cent of cases farmers were not aware of badger visits. At the farm level, knowledge of badger activity will be useful in informing vets and animal health professionals of the potential risks of disease transmission, and hence directing management interventions. However, the tendency to underestimate activity, combined with a lack of detailed knowledge of sett locations, means that farmer estimates of badger activity should be interpreted with caution and in isolation may not be sufficient to inform management interventions.
ISSN:0042-4900
2042-7670
DOI:10.1136/vr.103819