Badgers suspected of causing cemetery damage

Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust believe badgers are responsible for large holes that have appeared near graves

Areas of a cemetery in Nottinghamshire have been taped off due to damage caused by suspected badger setts.

One hole at Beeston Cemetery was found under a memorial box, exposing part of it, while others were near older graves and along the site's edge.

On Thursday, families involved in ongoing discussions with Broxtowe Borough Council about tributes left at the cemetery joined council officials for a walk around the site to discuss maintenance and grounds issues.

Although there has been no official confirmation of which animal is responsible, Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that the tunnels appear to have been made by badgers.

Holes could be seen under an older, sunken grave

The RSPCA has also confirmed that a "sick" badger at the cemetery was reported to them in May.

The badger was taken to an independent vet for examination, where it was "put to sleep to prevent it suffering further".

Badgers are a protected species, making it illegal to kill or trap them without a licence.

They prefer woodlands and open green space to live, but they have also been found to make homes in suburban areas, including parks and gardens.

They live in burrowed setts, which are networks of underground tunnels and chambers, with some having multiple entrance points.

Concerned bereaved families first notified the council of the problem in an email with photos of the holes on 17 July.

Broxtowe Borough Council understand that it can be upsetting to loved ones to see the holes

A spokesperson for Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust said in a statement to the LDRS: "Without a proper site visit, it isn't possible to be absolutely certain, but from the photo, it looks likely that the holes have been created by badgers.

"It is also an offence to damage, destroy or obstruct a badger sett. Before any action is taken, the site would need to be surveyed by a qualified ecologist, and any mitigation measures would require a licence from Natural England.

"Badgers are a wonderful part of our biodiversity, but as one of our largest mammals, their activities can sometimes bring them into conflict with people, and they can be displaced by development activity elsewhere.

A spokesperson for Broxtowe Borough Council said they were shown "additional holes" that had been previously reported, which may have been dug by badgers.

"These holes will be complex to deal with as badgers are a protected species, and the council is monitoring the site and taking advice from ecologists," said the spokesperson.

"We understand that it can be upsetting to loved ones to see these holes."