Ep 2. Badgers

Born To Be Wild season 1 episode 2, titled "Badgers," follows the adventurous journey of two wildlife experts, Steve Backshall and Barry Burrows as they explore the world of badgers and their habitat.

The episode starts with Backshall and Burrows searching for a sett - a badger's place of residence - in the English countryside. They demonstrate how tough it can be to locate a sett and how the clues left behind by badgers are the only indication of their presence. Throughout the episode, they highlight the intricate network of underground tunnels that badgers build for their homes.

The crew also delves into the life of a badger by discussing their diet and behavior. To shed more light on their nocturnal behavior, the team employs the use of thermal cameras, which captures the badgers in action, romping around, digging tunnels, and foraging for food.

But that's not all - the experts also showcase the badger's importance in their ecosystem. They reveal the indispensable role these creatures play in the health and balance of the local habitat through their burrowing, which not only enriches it but also provides homes for other animals.

In addition, the episode features an interview with local farmers who detail how badgers have become a primary source of conflict and concern for them. They cite the impact of badgers on their livestock and crops, and the potential spread of bovine tuberculosis, which is transmitted by badgers. This prompts a segment on the ongoing debate surrounding badger culling - the systematic killing of badgers to curb the spread of tuberculosis - and the opposing views of animal rights activists and farmers.

To provide a more comprehensive view, the team also visits a badger sanctuary and speaks to Caroline Gould, the founder of Brock Badger and Hedgehog Rescue, about her work caring for injured and orphaned badgers.

The episode concludes with a heartfelt scene where the team releases a fully recovered badger back into the wild, giving us a glimpse of the rehabilitation process.

Overall, the episode is both educational and engaging, taking viewers on a captivating journey about the fascinating world of badgers and their impact on the environment.