Researching Fundamental Ecology

The WildCRU's studies in behavioural ecology and mammalian social systems are important in keeping us in tune with the most up-to-date biological ideas, and providing a foundation for our more applied studies.

This dual approach is illustrated by our studies of European badgers. The badgers in our core area at Wytham Woods have been studied since 1972, and since 1987 we have sought to monitor the life of every individual in the population. This long-term data set not only forms the basis for tackling problems in the context of bovine tuberculosis, but also for comparison with populations under radically different circumstances, such as that of mountain-dwelling badgers in the Austrian Tyrol.