Badgers are at the centre of a contentious debate about bovine tuberculosis control in cattle, with significant welfare implications for both species.
Culled badgers face significant welfare risks including non-lethal injuries from shooting. Badgers dying from bTB suffer prolonged illness. Vaccination programmes avoid lethal control while providing herd-level protection. The welfare of both badgers and cattle is best served by integrated control strategies that include vaccination, biosecurity, and cattle testing.