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Nature Champions @naturechampions.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

#DYK Common Lizards are unusual among reptiles because they incubate their eggs inside their bodies instead of laying them, giving them their other name: 'viviparous lizard'. Their #NatureChampion is Katie Hagmann MSP @katiehagmann.bsky.social in collaboration with Froglife @froglife.bsky.social

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Nature Champions @naturechampions.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

📣 Nature Champions News! 📣 @benmacpherson.bsky.social is the #NatureChampion for the Common Tern! Ben will work with @rspbscotland.bsky.social to champion these much-loved 'sea swallows' in the Scottish Parliament! Discover more: www.scotlink.org/species/comm... 📸 ScotGov | David Tipling

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Scottish Wildlife Trust @scotwildlife.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Everyone in Montrose is getting into the spirit of GooseFest! In keeping with the geese’s most notable feature, both the women’s and men’s teams at Montrose Football Club will be wearing pink socks for their next home matches. Read more 👇 buff.ly/bmBiegm

Six players of Montrose Football Club standing on a football pitch while holding pink socks.

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Nature Champions @naturechampions.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Kelp forests play a vital role in supporting healthy marine ecosystems. Their presence creates a complex habitat that provides shelter & feeding areas for many animals. Their #NatureChampion is Sanne Dijkstra-Downie MSP in collaboration with Marine Conservation Society & Scottish Wildlife Trust

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Nature Champions @naturechampions.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

📣 Nature Champions News! 📣 @katiehagmann.bsky.social is the #NatureChampion for the Common Lizard! Katie will work with @froglife.bsky.social to champion these sun-loving, handsome lizards in the Scottish Parliament! Discover more: www.scotlink.org/species/comm... 📸 ScotParl | Jules Howard

Image of a Common Lizards basking on a fence post

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Bat Conservation Trust @batconservation.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

🦇'Bats' are more than one species. They are an incredibly diverse group of mammals with over 1,400 species. There is a huge diversity of sizes, colours, nose shapes, ear shapes, diet, habitat and more! In the UK, there are 18 resident species. Learn more here: www.bats.org.uk/about-bats/w...

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Nature Champions @naturechampions.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

📣 Nature Champions News! 📣 Duncan Dunlop MSP is the #NatureChampion for Species-rich Grasslands! Duncan will work with @plantlifeuk.bsky.social and @savebutterflies.bsky.social to champion these important habitats in Holyrood. 👇 www.scotlink.org/species/spec... 📸 ScotParl | Alistair Whyte

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Nature Champions @naturechampions.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Did you know that Ash trees attract incredible biodiversity, with 955 species of birds, mammals, insects, fungi, mosses and lichens relying on them? Their #NatureChampion is Alison Thewliss MSP @thewliss.bsky.social in collaboration with Woodland Trust Scotland @wtscotsocial.bsky.social

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Nature Champions @naturechampions.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

📣 Nature Champions News! 📣 @paulinestaffordsnp.bsky.social is the #NatureChampion for the Round-leaved Sundew! Pauline will work with @plantlifeuk.bsky.social to champion these extraordinary peatland plants in Holyrood. Read more: www.scotlink.org/species/roun... 📸 ScotParl | Beth Newman

Image of a round-leaved sundew on a mossy bog

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Nature Champions @naturechampions.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

#DYK the Common pipistrelle is so small it can fit into a matchbox?! But don't let its size fool you. They can easily eat 3000 insects per night! Their #NatureChampion is Clare Adamson MSP @clareadamsonmsp.bsky.social in collaboration with The Bat Conservation Trust @batconservation.bsky.social

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Nature Champions @naturechampions.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

📣 Nature Champions News! 📣 @yipeichouscotland.bsky.social is the #NatureChampion for the Twinflower! Yi-pei will work with @plantlifeuk.bsky.social to champion these rare, beautiful pinewood plants in the Scottish Parliament. Read more: www.scotlink.org/species/twin... 📸 ScotParl | Andrew Gagg

Image of a carpet of twinflowers on a woodland floor

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Nature Champions @naturechampions.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

The Round-leaved Sundew is a strange & beautiful carnivorous plant that has round leaves with sticky tendrils used to attract unsuspecting insects as prey. Their #NatureChampion is Pauline Stafford MSP @paulinestaffordsnp.bsky.social in collaboration with Plantlife @plantlifeuk.bsky.social

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Nature Champions @naturechampions.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Did you know that Basking Sharks are the second largest fish in the world, and can grow up to 12 metres long?! That's as long as a Lothian bus! Their #NatureChampion is Stuart McMillan MSP @stu-mcmillan-snp.bsky.social in collaboration with Marine Conservation Society! @mcsuk.bsky.social

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Nature Champions @naturechampions.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

📣 Nature Champions News! 📣 Joe Long MSP is the #NatureChampion for the Aspen! Joe will work with @wtscotsocial.bsky.social and @treesforlife.bsky.social to champion these rare native trees in the Scottish Parliament. Read more: www.scotlink.org/species/aspen/ 📸 ScotParl | Hannah Rennie

Image of aspen trees growing in front of a hillside, by a burn

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Nature Champions @naturechampions.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Did you know that Water Voles are keystone species and expert ecosystem engineers whose presence indicates a healthy wetland ecosystem and generates greater biodiversity? Their #NatureChampion is Fulton MacGregor MSP in collaboration with @rspbscotland.bsky.social ! 📸 Ben Andrew | rspb-images.com

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Nature Champions @naturechampions.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

#DYK that Bog Sun-jumper Spiders are one of the rarest and tiniest jumping spiders in Britain? They're highly sensitive to bog hydrology & require stable, wet, acidic conditions to thrive. Their #NatureChampion is Martyn Day MSP @martyndaysnp.bsky.social in collaboration with Buglife. 📸 Lorne Gill

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Nature Champions @naturechampions.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

Blue mussels are habitat-forming ecosystem engineers that provide many vital ecosystem functions, including seafloor stabilisation, water filtering, & boosting biodiversity! Their #NatureChampion is Kate Campbell MSP @kate-c.bsky.social in collaboration with Young Sea Changers Scotland 📸 ©JPrescott

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Nature Champions @naturechampions.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

Did you know that Peregrine falcons can reach speeds of 200 mph as they plunge out of the sky to catch their prey, making them the fastest animal?! Their #NatureChampion is Holly Bruce MSP @hollybruce.bsky.social alongside RSPB Scotland @rspbscotland.bsky.social & the Scottish Raptor Study Group

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Nature Champions @naturechampions.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

📣 Nature Champions News! 📣 @stephengethins.bsky.social is the #NatureChampion for the Swift! Stephen will work with @rspbscotland.bsky.social to champion these intrepid migratory birds in the Scottish Parliament. Read more 👇 www.scotlink.org/species/swift/

Image of Stephen Gethins MSP in an urban area, with car lights visible behind

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Nature Champions @naturechampions.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

📣 Nature Champions News! 📣 @clairebakermsp.bsky.social is the #NatureChampion for the Merlin! Claire will work with @rspbscotland.bsky.social and @scottishraptorsg.bsky.social to champion these small but mighty birds of prey in the Scottish Parliament. Read more 👇 www.scotlink.org/species/merl...

An image of a male merlin perched upon a log.

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Nature Champions @naturechampions.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

📣 Nature Champions News! 📣 Hannah Mary Goodlad MSP is the #NatureChampion for Sandeels! Hannah Mary will work with @mcsuk.bsky.social and @rspbscotland.bsky.social to champion these critically important marine species in Holyrood. Read more 👇 www.scotlink.org/species/sand...

Official portrait of Hannah Mary Goodlad MSP

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Nature Champions @naturechampions.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

Want to know some turtly awesome facts about Leatherback Turtles? They can grow up to 2 metres long and have been around for over 65 million yrs, since the Jurassic Period! Their #NatureChampion is Ross Greer MSP @ross-greer.bsky.social, working with Marine Conservation Society @mcsuk.bsky.social

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Nature Champions @naturechampions.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Scotland holds approx. 2/3 of the UK’s river systems, supporting key ecosystem services, agriculture, and whisky production. They also support iconic wildlife like otters and Atlantic salmon! #NatureChampion of rivers is Dawn Black MSP @dawnblacksnp.bsky.social with Atlantic Salmon Trust & Buglife!

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Nature Champions @naturechampions.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

📣 Nature Champions News! 📣 @martyndaysnp.bsky.social is the #NatureChampion for the Bog Sun-jumper Spider! Martyn will work with Buglife to champion these tiny, rare peatland specialists in the Scottish Parliament. 🕷️ Read more: www.scotlink.org/species/bog-... 📸 ScotParl | Lorne Gill

Image of a Bog Sun-jumper Spider on a small piece of moss

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Nature Champions @naturechampions.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

#DYK Brown Long-Eared Bats have huge ears, nearly as long as their body, giving them incredible hearing? They can even hear a ladybird walking on a leaf! Their #NatureChampion is Jackie Dunbar @jackiedunbarsnp.bsky.social in collaboration with Bat Conservation Trust! @batconservation.bsky.social

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Nature Champions @naturechampions.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

📣 Nature Champions News! 📣 @angelaconstance.bsky.social is the #NatureChampion for Riparian Woodlands! Angela will work with @scotwildlife.bsky.social + @wtscotsocial.bsky.social to champion these green arteries of our landscapes in Holyrood. 🌳 👇 www.scotlink.org/species/ripa... 📸 Scot Gov | SWT

Official portrait of Angela Constance MSP

Image of a river surrounded by native trees and a blue sky

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Nature Champions @naturechampions.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

Did you know there are 24 species of bumblebees in the UK? This includes the rare Moss Carder bumblebee, with a ginger thorax and paler abdomen, found in Scotland's Northwest Highlands. Mark Ruskell is its #NatureChampion working with Bumblebee Conservation Trust! @markruskell.bsky.social

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Nature Champions @naturechampions.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Did you know that Scotland has Coral reefs?! 🌊🪸 Cold-water corals can be found in some areas of Scotland & can form reefs that are thousands of years old! Cold-water Corals are championed by #NatureChampion Siobhian Brown MSP @siobhian.bsky.social & Marine Conservation Society @mcsuk.bsky.social

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Nature Champions @naturechampions.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

📣 Nature Champions News! 📣 @siobhian.bsky.social is the #NatureChampion for Cold-water Coral! Siobhian will work with @mcsuk.bsky.social to champion these ancient, fragile ecosystems in the Scottish Parliament. 🪸 Discover more: www.scotlink.org/species/cold... 📸 Scot Gov | Dan Bolt

Image of a cold-water coral reef, made up of various species of coral

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Nature Champions @naturechampions.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

📣 Nature Champions News! 📣 Heather Anderson MSP is the #NatureChampion for Community Green Space! Heather will work with @keepscotbeautiful.bsky.social to champion these important places for people, nature and climate in Holyrood. 👇 www.scotlink.org/species/comm... 📸 ScotParl | Bonnie Dundee

Official Portrait of Heather Anderson MSP

Image of a wildflower meadow in a local park. Trees flank the meadow, with Dundee visible in the distance.

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Nature Champions @naturechampions.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

Did you know a Minke whale can be as loud as a jet plane? 🐋 At 150 decibels, their calls travel vast distances! Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust & Whale and Dolphin Conservation do amazing work protecting them in Scottish waters. Karen Adam MSP is the proud #NatureChampion for Minke whales! 💙

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Nature Champions @naturechampions.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

📣 Nature Champions News! 📣 @donaldlabour.bsky.social is the #NatureChampion for Machair! Donald will work with @bumblebeetrust.bsky.social and the National Trust for Scotland to champion these unique coastal habitats in Holyrood. 🐝 Read more: www.scotlink.org/species/mach... 📸 ScotParl | BBCT

Official Portrait of Donald MacKinnon MSP

Image of a machair habitat, filled with native wildflowers in many colours

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Nature Champions @naturechampions.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

📣 Nature Champions News! 📣 @dawnblacksnp.bsky.social is the #NatureChampion for Rivers! Dawn will work with @ast-salmon.bsky.social and Buglife to champion the health of these vital ecosystems in Holyrood. Read more: www.scotlink.org/species/rive... 📸 ScotParl | Mick Garrett CC BY – SA 2.0

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Jackie Dunbar SNP @jackiedunbarsnp.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

Every parliamentary term, @scotlink.bsky.social offers MSPs the opportunity to become a Nature Champion, for Scotland’s threatened and iconic species and habitats So, I will now be championing brown long-eared bats for the next five years (as well as everyone who lives in Aberdeen Donside!)

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Nature Champions @naturechampions.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

📣 Nature Champions News! 📣 @jackiedunbarsnp.bsky.social is the #NatureChampion for the Brown Long-eared Bat! Jackie will work with @batconservation.bsky.social to champion these handsome long-eared bats in Holyrood. 🦇 Read more: www.scotlink.org/species/brow... 📸 ScotParl | Daniel Hargreaves

Image of a brown long-eared bat in flight at night about to catch a moth.

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Nature Champions @naturechampions.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

📣 Nature Champions News! 📣 @cllrtkerr.bsky.social is the #NatureChampion for the Daubenton's Bat! Thomas will work with @batconservation.bsky.social to champion these dynamic bats - known as 'water bats' - in Holyrood. 🦇 Learn more: www.scotlink.org/species/daub... 📸 ScotParl | Daniel Hargreaves

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Nature Champions @naturechampions.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

It's #SwiftAwarenessWeek!#DYK that Swifts rarely land? That's where they get their scientific name (derived from Greek), meaning “no foot, no foot"! The swift is still looking for its #NatureChampion to be its voice in the Scottish Parliament alongside @rspbscotland.bsky.social!

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Nature Champions @naturechampions.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

📣 Nature Champions News! 📣 Jack Middleton MSP is the #NatureChampion for the Sea Trout! Jack will work with @ast-salmon.bsky.social and @scotwildlife.bsky.social to champion these ecologically, culturally and economically important fish in Holyrood. Learn more: www.scotlink.org/species/sea-...

Image of sea trout and Atlantic salmon swimming together at sea.

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RSPB Science @rspbscience.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

A new report shows climate change is already impacting UK bird populations. Upland birds & seabirds face steep declines in their numbers underlining the need for action, while some southern species are expanding their ranges. Find out more: www.rspb.org.uk/whats-happen... @btobirds.bsky.social 🪶

rspb.org.uk

Climate change is already impacting UK bird populations

A new RSPB and British Trust for Ornithology report looks at the impacts on UK birds and the actions we can take to protect them.

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Nature Champions @naturechampions.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

📣 Nature Champions News! 📣 Marie McNair MSP is the #NatureChampion for the Common Glow-worm! Marie will work with Buglife to champion these adored yet mysterious insects in the Scottish Parliament. 🪲 Discover more: www.scotlink.org/species/comm... 📸 ScotParl | Pchelovek1205 (CC BY – SA 4.0)

Image of a common glow-worm with its abdomen glowing in the darkness

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Bumblebee Conservation Trust @bumblebeetrust.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

July is a special month for the Big Eight 🎱🐝 Of the UK’s 24 bumblebee species, these eight are the most common. This month, queens and workers (females) will be joined by new males 👋 🔎 Brush up on your bumblebee identification skills: ow.ly/lAUS50Zb2ko

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RSPB @rspb.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

Swifts eat, sleep, drink, mate, & even bathe on the wing, rarely landing except to nest. They can switch off one half of their brain to rest, swoop low over water to drink, & fly through rain to wash. What extraordinary little birds. #SwiftAwarenessWeek

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Nature Champions @naturechampions.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

📣 Nature Champions News! 📣 @gillianmackaygreen.bsky.social is the #NatureChampion for the Flame Shell! Gillian will work with @mcsuk.bsky.social to champion these extraordinary nest-building molluscs in the Scottish Parliament. Read more: www.scotlink.org/species/flam... 📸 ScotParl | Cathy Lewis

Image of an individual flame shell with its bright orange tentacles emerging from its shell.

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Nature Champions @naturechampions.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

📣 Nature Champions News! 📣 @kathsangster.bsky.social is the #NatureChampion for the Nathusius' Pipistrelle! Katherine will work with @batconservation.bsky.social to champion these rare and elusive bats in the Scottish Parliament. Read more: www.scotlink.org/species/nath... 📸ScotParl | Hugh Clark

Official portrait of Katherine Sangster MSP

Image of a Nathusius' pipistrelle resting on a log

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Nature Champions @naturechampions.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

📣 Nature Champions News! 📣 Miles Briggs MSP is the #NatureChampion for the Humpback Whale! Miles will work with @whalesorg.bsky.social + Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust to champion these migrating giants in Holyrood. Discover more: www.scotlink.org/species/hump... 📸 ScotParl | Cath Bain

Image of a humpback tail lifted out of the water off the Scottish coast

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WWF Scotland @wwfscotland.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

More than 60,000 oysters returned to the Firth of Forth! 🦪 @naturescot.bsky.social's latest blog, featuring our very own Lyndsey Dodds, explores why this milestone matters for #MarineRestoration. Read how Restoration Forth is working with communities to restore seagrass meadows and oyster reefs. ⬇️

scotlandsnature.wordpress.com

More than 60,000 oysters return to the Firth of Forth

In today’s guest blog, WWF Scotland’s Dr Lyndsey Dodds shares the successes of Restoration Forth – an award-winning project working to restore European flat oysters to their natural home. There are…

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Nature Champions @naturechampions.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

📣 Nature Champions News! 📣 Mark Simpson MSP is the #NatureChampion for the Short-eared Owl! Mark will work with @rspbscotland.bsky.social + @scottishraptorsg.bsky.social to champion these 'nomadic' owls in Holyrood. Discover more: www.scotlink.org/species/shor... 📸 ScotParl | Jack Stephen

Image of a short-eared owl sat on a wooden post.

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Nature Champions @naturechampions.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

📣 Nature Champions News! 📣 @alexkerrsnp.bsky.social is the #NatureChampion for the Wildcat! Alex will work with @saveourwildcats.bsky.social to champion these rare and endangered mammals in the Scottish Parliament. Discover more: www.scotlink.org/species/wild... 📸 ScotParl | RZSS

Image of a European wildcat in bracken, staring towards the camera

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Nature Champions @naturechampions.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

This week’s Nature Spotlight is the badger championed by Paul Sweeney MSP & Scottish Badgers. 🦡 They are important ecosystem engineers who boost biodiversity, but they’re threatened by habitat loss, climate change-induced drought & wildlife crime. Learn more: shorturl.at/Jj7TE #NatureChampions

Image of a badger with headline Nature Spotlight followed by subtitle Badger ‘also known as Broc in Gaelic’ and an image of Paul Sweeney MSP, Nature Champion

Orange background with images of badgers and the headline Badger (Meles meles) followed by text saying:
Badgers are considered keystone species and ecosystem engineers. Through digging and foraging, they improve soil structure, disperse seeds and create microhabitats that support many other species.

Habitat:
They typically live in broadleaved woodland, farmland, towns and gardens

Main Threats:
Habitat loss and fragmentation
Wildlife crime
Climate change – increased drought
Declining soil health - reduced earthworm and insect populations that feed them

Green background with images or badgers and the headline Actions needed to protect badgers followed by text saying: Strengthen enforcement and raise public awareness of badger crime
Support Badger habitat protection and restoration
Champion evidence-based policy to counter misinformation on Scotland’s bovine TB-free status
Promote Badgers’ important ecological role in supporting biodiversity, green places and community wellbeing

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