Evolution des populations de blaireaux (Meles meles) dans le Luxembourg belge au cours de la période 1986/1988

During the years '86 to '88, 192 badger dens were visited in the province of Luxembourg in Belgium. Ninety of them were occupied by badgers. The previous census ('82/'85) revealed only 66 inhabited setts. The situation of the species seems therefore better now. That small population increase is thought to be the consequence of the change in the rabies control policy. Systematic gassing of dens was stopped in 1982 and oral vaccination of foxes started in 1986. Three vaccination campaigns were conducted in 1986 and 1987 in an area extending along the border of the grand duchy of Luxembourg and covering approximately half of the badger census zone. In the vaccination area, more new dens were digged and more old ones were occupied again than in the unvaccinated zone whereas a greater number was abandoned or destroyed in the latter one. Nowadays, forestry (namely clear cuttings) and poaching are currently viewed the main threats on the badger in the province of Luxembourg.