The Aa en Maas water board is constructing an artificial badger sett in a meadow 180 meters from the Maasdijk in Megen. The animals now live in the dike and cause damage there. “If there is one thing that gives a dike manager sleepless nights, it is holes in the dike.”
The idea to move the badgers came from Ton Popelier. “We have been making these types of castles for decades, but it is the first time that we are doing it to make a dike safe again,” says the water board employee. “In this case for the residents of Megen and the surrounding companies.”
“By imitating and giving rest, you increase the chance of success.”
The badger is a protected species. This means that the water board must handle the animals with care. The badgers are very loyal to their habitat. This way it can happen that they are chased away and come back a day later.
The replica castle will be located a few hundred meters from the dike. “By imitating everything as much as possible and giving it rest, you increase the chance of success. The badgers just have to cooperate for a while.”
On the lawn that the water board purchased, a shovel is busy this week pouring the sand onto the pipes. There is even a layer of sand in the tube, so that the animals do not realize that they are ending up in an artificial castle. Underground passages and chambers are created, like in a badger sett. Everything is done with gloves to prevent the animals from smelling that it is made by humans.
“The old castle is locked with gates.”
“The trick then is just to get the badgers to move.” Just before winter, berry bushes are planted to further entice the badger to come to the artificial castle. Cameras are used to continuously monitor whether the animals move to the new castle. Once that has happened, the old castle will be closed off with gates.
