Claims extracted
26
sentences that state something as happening or true
Uncertain
19%
5 of 26 hedged
("reportedly", "may", "according to")
Leaning
not political
takes no side on a contested political question
Publisher signals
66/100
BBC News's corrections and
hedging, across everything collected from it. Not a measure of accuracy.
Outlets on this story
2
Politics
Same framing elsewhere
1
articles that frame the event the way this one does
- Published
An ecologist in the Scottish Borders is fighting to be allowed to keep a badger that he saved from starvation.
asserted
he → publish → starvation
Graeme Wilson was called out to help the cub, called Harriet, in April after she was found in a cattle trough 100m (300ft) from her sett.
Wilson nursed the badger back to health but believes she was hand-reared prior to this, and it would be impossible to return her to the wild.
NatureScot - which turned down his application for an educational licence to keep the animal - said it was continuing talks to try to find a "pragmatic solution".
asserted
it → call → solution
Wilson runs GW Ecology, a small independent rescue and rehabilitation service at his home in Denholm.
asserted
Wilson → run → Denholm
It carries out surveys to determine whether protected species are present on the sites of proposed property developments.
He also leads bat walks, workshops and holds educational events about wildlife and how to protect it.
asserted
He → carry → it
Wilson describes himself as an "experienced and trained wildlife rehabber" who has cared for a variety of wildlife over the years.
asserted
who → describe → years
He argues that an educational licence could allow him to support public understanding of badgers, wildlife rescue and caring for a protected species.
uncertain
him → argue → species
He said that after rescuing Harriet, it quickly became evident to him that she could not go back to where he found her.
uncertain
he → say → her
Wilson added: "It was almost second nature when she saw the bottle.
"
asserted
she → add → bottle
I have cared for injured badgers before and never have I seen something like it.
asserted
I → care → it
"It was clear then she couldn't be released back into the wild."
asserted
she → release → wild
He said NatureScot, the public body responsible for Scotland's natural heritage and wildlife, had told him she should be returned to the wild or sent to a zoo.
asserted
she → say → zoo
However, he believes that releasing Harriet into the wild would only result in her being hurt or killed.
asserted
her → believe → wild
He said: "Badgers are companion animals, they are a social animal and unfortunately for Harriet she has decided that humans are her social group.
asserted
humans → say → Harriet
"Can you imagine Harriet approaching someone on a dog walk or in the street?
asserted
Harriet → imagine → street
"There is only one way that would end."
He said a zoo would also be unsuitable for Harriet, arguing she would become lonely and suffer unnecessary distress.
"
asserted
she → be → distress
Harriet's upbringing means she needs human interaction, not to be put behind glass and stared at," he said.
asserted
he → mean → glass
Wilson said he would keeping fighting to hold on to Harriet.
asserted
he → say → Harriet
However, he admitted there may not be a lot he can do, despite having the support of several badger rescue groups in Scotland.
uncertain
he → admit → Scotland
Police Scotland has been made aware of the situation.
asserted
Scotland → make → situation
NatureScot said talks were ongoing to try to find a way to resolve the issue.
asserted
talks → say → issue
"We are continuing discussions with Mr Wilson and other relevant organisations to try and find a pragmatic solution to this individual situation," said a spokesperson.
asserted
spokesperson → continue → situation
"The welfare of the badger is, of course, key while we consider the circumstances of the case."
asserted
we → consider → case
Scottish SPCA advice is that any badger cub discovered outside its sett before it is about 12 weeks old - or about the size of a domestic cat - is likely to need help.
asserted
it → discover → help
It said any member of the public coming across a sick or injured badger should not attempt to hold or touch the animal until one of its rescue officers arrives.
asserted
one → say → officers
"Badgers can become aggressive if they are in pain or feel threatened; they can give a nasty bite and their sharp claws could cause serious injury, if you try to catch it," it said.
uncertain
it → become → it
"You should also contact us if you find a badger during daylight hours as they may be struggling."
uncertain
they → contact → hours
The Aporia
