THE DEMOGRAPHY OF A HIGH-DENSITY BADGER (MELES-MELES) POPULATION IN THE WEST OF ENGLAND

Data from the longest running capture-mark-recapture study of Eurasian badgers, in an undisturbed wild population at Woodchester Park in Glo ucestershire, were used to investigate population dynamics. Twenty-one social groups of badgers occupying an area of 7.3 km(2) were studied from 1978-1993. The density increased steadily over the study period, reaching the highest published density known anywhere at 25.3 adults p er km(2) in 1993, and the average social group size increased to 8.8 a dults (S.E. +/- 0.85) in 1993. By 1993, 97% of the population trapped was of known age and overall the population consisted of 27% cubs and 73% adults. In addition, the results supported previous studies in tha t the population had an equal sex ratio as cubs, but became increasing ly female-based with age. There was high juvenile mortality, nearly 50 % dying in their first year. Between 58 and 90.2% of adult females did not breed each year.