A Scottish ecologist is engaged in a dispute with NatureScot, a government agency, over a badger cub he has hand-reared. Graeme Wilson, 55, has been told by the agency that the nine-month-old badger, named Harriet, must either be released into the wild or sent to a zoo.
Mr. Wilson, who has operated a wildlife rescue and education service from his home in Denholm, Roxburghshire, for two decades, found Harriet in April. The then two-month-old cub was discovered undernourished in a cattle trough near Hawick. He nursed her back to health, and she has since lived in his back garden.
Mr. Wilson believes Harriet would struggle to adapt to life in the wild or a zoo due to her strong attachment to humans. "She sees humans as her clan. She's not used to being enclosed and not used to other animals," he stated. He added that while he believes Harriet is best staying with him, he would seek a better placement if one were available.
A spokesperson for NatureScot indicated that the agency understood Mr. Wilson had agreed to release the badger into his garden and surrounding areas after Bonfire Night. "We support this reasonable approach," the spokesperson said.