Graeme Wilson wildlife charity criticism escalated after three wildlife welfare charities challenged his bid to keep Harriet, the badger he nursed back to health after NatureScot refused permission. Wilson, a Scottish ecologist and wildlife rehabilitator, had been called out after Harriet was found in a cattle trough 300ft from her sett.
Wilson said Harriet had likely been hand-reared before he reached her and that he believed she would not survive in the wild. He applied to NatureScot to keep her, but the application was turned down, putting the badger’s next step into the hands of those handling her care and the licensing system.
British Wildlife Rehabilitation Council
The British Wildlife Rehabilitation Council, Scottish Badgers and the Badgers Trust said the case raised serious animal welfare concerns. The council said it had suspended Wilson's membership because he had not upheld its principles, and the three groups said they firmly oppose the permanent captivity of any native British wild animal.
Wilson runs GW Ecology, a small independent wildlife rehabilitation service at his home in Denholm in the Scottish Borders, and he already has a licence to keep unreleasable bats. In comments to the, he said, "I've always taken the view that if it cannot be released, but it can be kept humanely in captivity, then that's what would happen" and "If it can't be kept in captivity under humane conditions, then obviously euthanasia is the route to go."
Scottish Badgers and the Badgers Trust
The charities said Harriet’s case was a deeply sad outcome because she had become so used to humans that she could not be released into the wild. They said wildlife rehabilitation is not about hand-rearing animals, becoming attached to them and then deciding they should spend the rest of their lives in captivity because improper practice has made them accustomed to human contact.
They said Harriet should have been rewilded and grouped with other cubs for release later in the year, and that her finder should have sought professional help from a reputable licensed wildlife rescue centre with appropriate facilities. They also said the options were extremely limited and included euthanasia or placement in a zoo or sanctuary.
NatureScot and Harriet
The charities said suggesting a zoo or sanctuary as an acceptable alternative showed a fundamental lack of understanding of badgers’ behavioural, social and welfare needs. They said the current situation with the finder was not acceptable, appropriate or suitable for a badger, leaving the dispute over Harriet’s future focused on whether captivity, euthanasia or another placement is handled under the rules already applied by NatureScot.
