I did a recent post on the Fox Project Bristol and my blog about reported so KNOWN fox deaths and what the actual total might be.
https://terryhoopernaturalist.blogspot.com/2026/07/182-reported-dead-foxes-total-is-higher.html
That was scary enough but then I wondered whether statistics could guestimate the actual number of dead badgers in the City and County of Bristol (yes, for those who did not know Bristol is not just a City). So far we have had 73 reported death so ....
The actual number of badgers killed is likely much higher than 73 . Experts estimate that up to (50,000\) badgers die on UK roads yearly. Studies show that for every dead badger seen and reported 2-3 others often die nearby or off-road from their injuries. Therefore, 73 observed deaths could mean 146 to 219 actually died.
First off it used to be 100,000 then 60,000now 50,000 is the estimate. I do not believe that after the cull took 300,000 badgers that 50,000 are currently dying. The population is so low and even though no longer present in certain areas (due to the cull) that 50,000 each year would mean we have 2-3 years before badgers are extinct.
I have asked Highways England and they do not record what dead animals their teams remove from roads. A simple email reading "Orpington 23 06 2026 badger" (or "fox" could be sent. How long does that take? But local highway authorities such as Bristol City (Green) Council's Street Clean Team will not even cooperate: they just pick up and send for incineration.
That said, sadly, a total of 146+/- would not surprise me. And remember this is just road deaths not death by rodenticide, snaring or illegal killing by local badger men and badger baiting (yes, that still goes on).
Rather like foxes and the fast decreasing UK population I think it time English badgers were moved onto the Red List as a species facing extinction.
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