Inhoud
Brock the badger, with his white streaked head and cuddly, ungainly body, holds a special place in our affections. Yet only a year or so ago the badger population of these islands had decreased by 5 - 10.000 and was falling fast as a result of man's greed and inhumanity. Indeed, this attractive mammal, indeginous to Britain since before the dawn of human consciousness, has been so persecuted throughout the ages that its name has been taken into the language as a verb meaning to worry incessantly. An object of suspicion and superstition for centuries, viewed with unjustified animosity by sporting and agricultural interests, and all too often killed on sight, the badger was in real danger of eventual extinction. Fortunately the recent Protection of Badgers Act now affords them some real measure of defence. Peter Hardy, MP, responsible for the passage of this Act through the Commons and an ardent conservationist, reveals how attitudes are changing towards this much misunderstood creature and his own fascination with badgers.
A countryman who has learned to accept an urban existence, Mr Hardy has the true naturalist's eye, and his descriptions of evenings spent by badger sets in his native South Yorkshire will delight all animal lovers. One chapter is devoted simply to badger watching, with advice on timing, procedure and clothing, and a timely warning as to the need to restrict activity during the summer months. Mr Hardy's academic background is revealed in his detailed analysis of all aspects of badger existence, including physiology, food and habits, the sett, health and disease, distribution and evidence of persecution.
A comprehensive study of badgers, this humane book is also a plea for tolerance and a challenging hope for survival in a changing world.
