Why can’t we leave badgers in peace? They are distinctive and iconic animals, but are subjected to shockingly high levels of abuse and criminal behaviour, including an annual months-long cull across vast areas of the UK based on erroneous beliefs. Anna Champneys, senior lecturer in wildlife conservation at Nottingham Trent University, discusses the issues.

BLOG: In case you missed it, the RSPB - one of Britain’s foremost animal protection charities - advised its members to lure badgers to electric fences using sweet treats. The reaction from other groups was rightly damning, but once again it demonstrates the insidious nature of speciesism amongst our most hallowed animal-loving organisations.