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.

The plight of an alpaca named Geronimo, condemned to death by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), has pierced the hearts of thousands of people around the country. Yet Geronimo is just the latest victim in the UK government’s misguided crusade against bovine tuberculosis.