Behaviour of badgers (Meles meles) in farm buildings: Opportunities for the transmission of Mycobacterium bovis to cattle?

摘要: Abstract Eurasian badgers ( Meles meles ) are implicated in the transmission of bovine tuberculosis Mycobacterium bovis to cattle. Here we investigate potential spatio-temporal foci opportunities for contact between and cattle farm buildings. We discuss relative occurrence different badger behaviours their facilitating disease transmission, examine correlates building use by including availability specific farm-based resources, demography, environmental variables. In addition, seasonal variation home range structure with respect use. Badger activity ranging behaviour were monitored intensively on six farms throughout year July 2003 June 2005 using remote surveillance, radio-tracking faecal analysis. Badgers foraged buildings, exhibited close, investigative ‘nose-to-nose’ housed excreted/scent marked around feed. A negative correlation was observed frequency visits 24 h rainfall a positive minimum temperature. visited feed stores most selected ‘cake’ over other available food types. peak detected spring summer, male more likely visit buildings than females. Management prescriptions prevention centre reducing direct or indirect It is thus recommended that effort exclude from should focus housing during summer warm, dry weather.