FERMANAGH is renowned for its stunning loughs, vast woodlands, and diverse wildlife, so it's no surprise that many love getting out to explore it.

But, in recent years, those out in the countryside may have started to notice certain things that are simply odd or natural.

While walking along a hedgerow, people may come across spade marks and rope, or even blood and fur, and wonder what happened. 

Perhaps, when strolling through the woodland, they may come across spent shotgun shells, strewn among the leaves.

Maybe, in the distance, they will catch sight of a group of men, flanked by terrier dogs or lurchers. Why are they carrying spades?

These encounters are telling signs of trouble amid the tranquillity. Nearby, animals are suffering.

Badger baiting has been outlawed since 1830s, but continues to stalk the Fermanagh countryside.

Dogs, fitted with radio collars, are sent into dark and dangerous setts, having been trained to locate a badger.

When this is achieved, baiting gangs start to dig. They won't stop until they reach the badger, which is pulled out, often seriously injured and disabled.

The badger is thrown to the dogs, which are allowed to kill it. Both suffer horrific injuries, often proving fatal.

Sadly, detections for badger baiting remain low, and prosecutions even lower.

This is perhaps why the jailing of Fermanagh man, Jason Lee Kennedy, for badger baiting last month has been heralded as a 'watershed moment' by so many animals welfare groups.

He received 13-and-a-half-months behind bars for badger baiting, and chillingly, police also found that he videoed animal cruelty, with footage too graphic in nature to show in court.

The case shone a light on dark undercurrents of animal cruelty in rural Fermanagh, and the USPCA are keen to see the case as a "turning point" for badger baiting as a whole.

Speaking exclusively to The Impartial Reporter, Nora Smith, chief executive of the USPCA, revealed that they are already aware of 150 badger baiting operating in Northern Ireland, including at least one in Fermanagh.

"Badger baiting occurs across all the region and no county in Northern Ireland escapes this act of animal cruelty," said Mrs. Smith "There are a significant number of badger setts in Co Fermanagh, so I have no doubt it often falls prey."

Last year, a specially commissioned report into badger baiting revealed that Co. Fermanagh has the third-highest density of badgers in Northern Ireland. From 2019 to 2021, six per cent of all badger baiting offences were recorded in Fermanagh. 

Unfortunately, more badgers mean more setts than can be terrorised.

Mrs. Smith continued: "Unfortunately, badger baiting is significantly underreported, given the rural nature of the crime, and a lack of awareness of what people should look for."

Mrs. Smith added that many badger baiters view such activity as a 'sport', and as a result, many can be found travelling into the county.

"Badger baiters also travel considerable distances across the region to take part in this cruel act," Mrs. Smith said.

"The reality is the individuals involved in badger baiting often are involved in other criminal activities also."

A number of the 150+ suspects known to USPCA have been charged and/or convicted of a range of other criminal offences, including murder, robbery, drugs, criminality, fraud and paramilitary activity.

However, despite such knowledge of the nature, movements and background of badger baiters, prosecution rates remain "dismal", according to Mrs. Smith.

"Last year, we launched a report which revealed the true scale of badger baiting in Northern Ireland," she continued. "Figures from the PSNI show that there were 86 potential badger prosecution offences reported in the last three years from 2019 and 2021.

"There have only been three convictions out of 11 prosecutions of people for offences relating to killing or injuring wild animals in Northern Ireland since 2011 to 2021.

"Yet, we are aware of 150 badger baiters operating here. We need to see more timely action by the PSNI to dramatically change their record on wildlife crime."

Peter Clarke, from the Northern Ireland Badger Group, agrees.

"We would encourage the PSNI to investigate others implicated, as experience tells us that these types of people will continue to offend," he said, referencing the sentencing of Jason Lee Kennedy.

"Sadly, there are dozens of clandestine badger and fox baiting gangs in Northern Ireland. They know the location of nearly every badger sett, and often travel long distances to commit offences.

"The Fermanagh case provides an insight into what these people are doing in our rural areas."

But while the PSNI are allegedly falling behind, both the USPCA and NI Badger Group have a trick up their sleeve when it comes to helping to tackle wildlife crime - Operation Brockwatch.

Founded in October 2019, Brockwatch’s objective is to protect badgers at setts which have experienced badger baiting on multiple occasions in the past.

These badger setts, identified as vulnerable, are watched on a ‘round the clock’ basis using modern technology. Many of the setts are 100-years-old.

"To date it (Operation Brockwatch) has proved 100 per cent successful," said Mrs. Smith. "None of the badger sets within the Operation have been the victim of further attacks.

"Badger baiting is a heinous crime, and the success of Brockwatch is a testament to the volunteers who play such a key role in making it a success."

As a Brockwatch volunteer, Peter Clarke knows all too well the benefits of the operation.

"The project not only deters wildlife criminals, but also deters fly-tipping, farm theft and general trespass," he said.

"We would encourage landowners around Bellanaleck and throughout Fermanagh, who have had any badger setts on their farm targeted by criminals, to consider bringing their farm under the control of Operation Brockwatch protection. It's totally free."

And with this, the USCPA and NI Badger Group are also on the look out for more volunteers, especially in Fermanagh.

Mrs. Smith said: "Volunteers willingly dedicate their time to fortnightly monitoring of setts, even during the winter months.

"The principal duties are to visit the setts to check the camera, review the footage, and report any sett disturbances.

"The volunteers also report any suspicious activity to the PSNI, remove any litter from the sett, and notify the landowner of any fly-tipping. This has a positive impact on other rural crime problems in the area."

She added: "Anybody interested in becoming a volunteer of Operation Brockwatch, we would encourage them to contact us."

However, despite the success of Operation Brockwatch in Northern Ireland, Mrs. Smith admits there is still a long way to go before the issue of badger baiting is tackled altogether.

"Yes, we are encouraged by the recent custodial sentence given to a prolific badger baiter, however this must represent a turning point, leading to more arrests and ultimately convictions," Mrs. Smith concluded.

"Badger baiting takes place across all of Northern Ireland, therefore we are eager to get as many setts as possible under the protection of Brockwatch."