Species: Badger

The badger (Meles meles) is a member of the mustelid family and is the largest native species of terrestrial predators in the Netherlands. They are recognized by their black and white stripey heads and live in underground systems of tunnels known as setts.

More information about the badger can be found (in Dutch) on the website of the Dutch native mammal research and protection organisation (Zoogdiervereniging).

Photo banner: Dick Pasman

Disease general

• Avian influenza (bird flu)
• Canine distemper
• Malassezia
• Pneumoconiosis
• Tuberculosis

Research results

• Badger with lung tumor (15/07/2019)
• No evidence of tuberculosis in badgers in the Netherlands (08/07/2015)
• Minutes of the badger meeting 5th April 2014 (01/05/2014)

General news

No news found.

Publications

• Diversity of Hepatozoon species in wild mammals and ticks in Europe. Uiterwijk, M., L. Vojta, N. Šprem, A. Beck, D. Jurković, M. Kik, G. G. Duscher, A. Hodžić, S. Reljić, H. Sprong & R. Beck. Parasites Vectors 16, 27 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-022-05626-8

• Zoonotic Mutation of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 Virus Identified in the Brain of Multiple Wild Carnivore Species. Vreman, S., M. Kik, E. Germeraad, R. Heutink, F. Harders, M. Spierenburg, M. Engelsma, J. Rijks, J. van den Brand & N. Beerens. Pathogens 2023, 12(2), 168; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens12020168

• The effectiveness of bovine tuberculosis surveillance in Dutch badgers. Orrico M., G. van Schaik, A. Koets, J van den Broek, M. Montizaan, M. La Haye & J. M. Rijks 10 Jun 2021, (E-pub ahead of print) Transboundary and emerging diseases. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34110708/