The Arran Natural History Society was fortunate to receive a talk about badgers from acknowledged mammal expert Roger Cottis at their recent meeting. When it was discovered that Roger would be on the island doing a survey on badgers, he was approached by the Arran Natural History Society and he readily agreed to talk to the members.
A young badger at Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue Centre in Beith.
Photo Alan Bellamy
Roger has been studying mammals for many years through the Mammal Society, with badgers and otters being the main species. He was a founder member of Staffordshire Badger Conservation Group in the mid-1980s and, since moving to Scotland 25 years ago, joined Scottish Badgers, with whom he is currently vice-chairman. Among other things he has responsibility for training Forestry Commission Scotland and private sector operatives when dealing with badgers and otters in relation to either forestry planting or harvesting.