The demography of a high‐density badger (<i>Meles meles</i>) population in the west of England

Abstract

Data from the longest running capture‐mark‐recapture study of Eurasian badgers, in an undisturbed wild population at Woodchester Park in Gloucestershire, were used to investigate population dynamics. Twenty‐one social groups of badgers occupying an area of 7.3km 2 were studied from 1978‐1993. The density increased steadily over the study period, reaching the highest published density known anywhere at 25.3 adults per km 2 in 1993, and the average social group size increased to 8.8 adults (S.E. ± 0.85) in 1993. By 1993, 97% of the population trapped was of known age and overall the population consisted of 27% cubs and 73% adults. In addition, the results supported previous studies in that the population had an equal sex ratio as cubs, but became increasingly female biased with age. There was high juvenile mortality, nearly 50% dying in their first year. Between 58 and 90.2% of adult females did not breed each year.