What to do when you see roadkill

Next time you spot a bedraggled animal carcase lying limply in the road, it may be worth stopping for a second look.

Northern Ireland Badger Group says road kill badgers and foxes are valuable resources in the fight against bovine tuberculosis and the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis.

They've teamed up with the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), which is collecting roadkill carcases for its ongoing research into these diseases.

NI Badger Group says that not all reported roadkill badgers or foxes can be collected but DAERA is trying its best to collect as many as possible.

I've reported a couple myself and you don't need map coordinates or anything like that - it's just a matter of taking a mental note of where the carcase is, then phoning the dedicated DAERA number when you get home and describing the location as clearly as possible.

The most important thing is the condition - carcases are only suitable for research if they are intact and fresh. 

They should really be less than 12 hours old in warm weather and less than three days old in cold weather.

Carcases which appear badly damaged, bloated, discoloured or show other signs of deterioration are not suitable. NI Badger Group's website shows pictures of the kind of thing you should be looking for - and don't worry, you won't have to get that close.

A spokesman says: "Care should be taken with any dead animals and skin contact should be avoided. 

"Only report RTA badgers/foxes which are in a location where they are less likely to get damaged by other vehicles eg. ones at the side of the road as opposed to ones in the centre of the road.

"Do not bag, move or cover the carcase."

The group says you can report the carcase online (CLICK HERE), send a voice message or SMS text to 07767 271 431 or email RTAbadger@daera-ni.gov.uk, giving as much information as possible.

That's things like your name and contact information, including telephone number (although anonymous reports are welcome too); the exact location of the carcase, including county/town/road name/ postcode; Ordnance Survey or other map/GPS reference if you have them; and directions with land marks (e.g 50m past Esso petrol station on left, beside gate).

It only takes a few minutes and it could be a valuable tool in the battle against some very nasty diseases.

For more information on the guidelines, check out the NI Badger Group website at http://www.badgersni.org.uk.