A decline in badger (Meles meles) territories on Great Island, Cork Harbour, observed during two time periods over twenty years (1995-1996 and 2016-2017)

[Badger setts and territories were surveyed on the east of Great Island in Cork Harbour. They were bait-marked in 1995-1996, after bio-marked baits had been fed. Then, after twenty years, some setts were again bait-marked in 2016-2017. During the first period (1995-1996), there were 26 setts found on the island of which 18 were bait-marked, which revealed 17 territories. In the second period (2016-2017) there were 12 setts present in the same area that were regularly used by badgers. Of these, seven were bait-marked, but there were only two clearly defined territories. Bait-marking was useful in confirming the decline in badgers on the island.]