DISPERSAL AND OTHER INTERGROUP MOVEMENTS IN BADGERS, MELES-MELES

Investigated dispersal and other movements of badgers between social g roups in a high density badger population in Sussex, southern England, during the period November 1988 to October 1993. Fourteen badgers (10 female, 4 male) were radio-collared, tracked and observed during noct urnal ranging. Daily sleeping locations of collared badgers were also recorded for a 2-year period. In addition bait-marking was carried out twice annually to determine territory boundaries. Twenty-eight moveme nts between groups were recorded, including 7 permanent group changes, one temporary group change and 20 visits of shorter duration. All of the adult badgers that permanently changed groups were mature females. An adult male changed groups temporarily and another was killed 3.5 k m from where he was trapped. No aggression from territorial residents towards immigrants was observed and 3 females bred successfully follow ing their group change.