At least four badger fortresses in the Maasheggen area between Boxmeer and Vierlingsbeek, an unknown white powder has been found so far. On Saturday evening, as long as the light has been searched for even more places where the substance is. Forester Alwin Brandt does not doubt what it is: “This is poison. Although it still has to be officially determined.”
The first (suspected) poison found was done on Friday afternoon around three o’clock, at a large badger castle in the nature reserve along the Maas near Vierlingsbeek. This structure has been around for about thirty years and has hundreds of meters of underground corridors. Hundreds of badgers live, who normally only show themselves in the evening and at night.
Other shelters from Dassen in the area have also been investigated. The forester knows on Saturday evening that the white substance was found at three other accommodations. It is a castle at a potato farmer, a tree grower and on a piece of land from a private individual.
Forest ranger Brandt does not exclude that the poison is in even more places. As long as it is light, the area is still being investigated.
Probable addition of fish oil
The white stuff was found in all forty the entrances of the castle along the Maas. Until Armdiep in the corridors the stuff has been left. The powder smells like fish. Probably fish oil has been added to lure the ties. Forester Alwin Brandt calls the discovery ‘unprecedented’. “This is a targeted attack. It is now breeding season, so the badgers all have young.”
Only after the Easter weekend does it become clear what substance it really is. It is also unclear whether ties have become ill or may have even died because they received the substance.
The cleaning work is still on Saturday evening. For this, use is made of a special vacuum cleaner that is also used after drug waste has been found in nature. Cleaning up is extremely careful because there is a chance that the corridor system of the badger fortresses will collapse otherwise.
The Das is a protected species. Poisoning such animals is a prison sentence of four years.
Staatsbosbeheer immediately took action after the find:
