[Image credit: @suffolkandessexhuntsabs]
The supplementary badger cull continues, as does action against it. Derbyshire Against the Cull have taken up a combination of direct action and advocacy, as seen in social media posts throughout the month that has shown them successfully stopping free shooters as well distributing flyers and stickers within the community. They’ve also called out for supporters to contact their local MPs to put pressure on them to end the continuation of badger culling as government policy. Hull Wildlife Protectors also held a training day, giving an opportunity for concerned members of the public to learn about wildlife crime and badger persecution and what can be done. Badger setts continue to be monitored, as seen by Staffordshire Hunt Saboteurs.
The Monmouthshire & Valley Beagles in South Wales and the Eryri Hunt in North Wales both disbanded this month. Though the scale of hunting can seem overwhelming, news such as this is a reminder of how vulnerable individual packs are and how realistic it is for them to disband. Dedicated campaigns, including consistent sabbing, is sure way to make that happen.
The Dove Valley Mink Hounds continue to have difficulties, as they were once against intercepted by hunt saboteurs; this time from Staffordshire and Nottingham. As per, on their arrival the hunt gave up straight away and headed back to the meet. In Essex, the Eastern County Mink Hounds had their first ever experience being sabotaged since they reformed. This hunt originally disbanded once Otter populations had declined massively, resulting in protective legal status, but reformed as minkhounds (though continued to hunt Otter, as many still do). However, they once again disbanded in 2021, following internal problems and becoming the target of local sabotage groups. Thinking they had gone forever, it was then discovered they re-emerged soon after as a private pack who hunt ‘legally’ using dogs to flush their target animal to a gun. But after a little bit of research, a large group of saboteurs made up from North London, Suffolk & Essex, Norwich, South Cambridge and South of Norfolk surprised them by taking the hounds away, forcing them to pack up and leave.
Northants Hunt Saboteurs, along with other locals, continue to put pressure on The Cottesmore Hunt by having a presence and protesting two fun rides and the hunts summer party. This causes a lot of frustration for the hunt as they attempt to recruit new members and raise money. Sabs and protesters highlighting the brutal reality of hunting counteracts the hunts false narrative they try to uphold. It is bad for business and can play a key part in the demise of a hunt, when combined with other tactics.
Hertfordshire Hunt Saboteurs have been busy ‘cleaning up the countryside’, including spring traps and a fox cage. According to them, a simple ‘jump around’ can make a difference to wildlife. Likewise, Underground Badger Syndicate published a video of multiple spring traps being stamped out after looking for shiny things. In a separate post on their Instagram page, they made their position on the UK general election clear as many may have been voting with wildlife legislation in mind. Not only does mainstream politics come with limits, but acting on a single cause or campaign can be very dangerous. As they explain, Labour party leader Keir Starmer is a transphobe, has pledged to continue culling badgers, has platformed Zionist lobbyists and have little interest in supporting refugees. These are just a few examples of the true intensions of this party, who end up winning and now make up the government. Simply put, UBS concludes ‘fuck your votes, take action!’.
Any information about wildlife killing fundraisers, hunting, the location of traps, tools and infrastructure used to kill and anything dodgy or suspicious relating to the interference or ill-treatment of wildlife should be reported to your local hunt sabotage group. Unsure of your local group? Contact the Hunt Saboteurs Association’s tip-off line at 07443148426 or via social media. The smallest bit of information could make the biggest different to wildlife life.
NO LIFE LIKE THE WILD
