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Legal protection

The honey badger is a protected species in India, the former Soviet states in which it occurs, and in a number of African countries including Botswana, Ghana, and the Cape provinces of South Africa. [b018, w178-01, w193]

This badger also has a measure of international protection under CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora. This convention protects threatened species from all international commercial trade. Appendix III of CITES gives countries the option of listing native species already protected within their own borders; Botswana and Ghana have done so. [w192, w193]

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Habitat protection

Populations of the honey badger occur in the following protected areas:

Africa

• Benin: Reserve de la Biosphere de la Pendjari. [w201-06]
• Botswana: Makagadikgadi and Nxai Pan National Park, Central Kalahari Game Reserve. [w189]
• Cameroon: Reserve Forestiere et de Faune du Dja. [w201-06]
• Congo, Democratic Republic of: Kahuzi-Biéga National Park, Parc National d'Odzala. [w201-06]
• Cote D'Ivoire (Ivory Coast): Parc national de Tai, Parc National de la Comoe. [w201-06]
• Ghana: Bia National Park. [w201-06]
• Kenya: Amboseli National Park, Kora National Reserve, Tsavo National Park. [w178-01, w201-06]
• Namibia: Etosha National Game Park, Mamili Nature Reserve, Namib-Naukluft Park, Naute Dam, West Caprivi Game Reserve. [w190, w178-01, w201-06]
• South Africa: Cape West Coast Biosphere Reserve, Itala Game Reserve, Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve, Kruger National Park, Mala Mala Game Reserve, Kgalagadi Transfrontier National Park (formerly the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park), Sabi Sand Reserve. [w178-01, w186, w187, w188, w191, w201-06]
• Sudan: Dinder National Park, Radom National Park. [w201-06]
• Swaziland: Malolotja Nature Reserve, Mkhaya Game Reserve, Mlawula Nature Reserve. [w201-06]
• Tanzania, United Republic of: Lake Manyara National Park, Mahale National Park, Serengeti-Ngorongoro Biosphere Reserve. [w201-06]
• Uganda: Kibale National Park, Queen Elizabeth (Rwenzori) National Park. [w201-06]
• Zambia: South Luangwa National Park. [w185, w201-06]
• Zimbabwe: Hwange National Park, Mana Pools National Park. [w178-01]

Middle East and Asia

• India: Bandhavgarh National Park, Dudhwa National Park, Indravati Tiger Reserve, Kanha Tiger Reserve, Ranthambore National Park, Simlipal Tiger Reserve. [w184, w201-06]
• Jordan: Azraq Wetland Reserve, Mujib Nature Reserve. [w201-06]
• Nepal: Royal Chitwan National Park. [w201-06]
• Pakistan: Lal Suhanra National Park. [w201-06]
• Turkmenistan: Badghyz Zapovednik, Kaplankyr Zapovednik, Kopetdagh Zapovednik, Syunt-Khasardagh Zapovednik. [w201-06]

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Research and conservation work

In the late 1990's, Colleen and Keith Begg undertook a long-term field study of the honey badger in the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park in South Africa (now the Kgalagadi Transfrontier National Park). This study uncovered a great deal of new information about the behaviour, breeding and exology of the honey badger. The initial fruits of the Beggs' labours can be seen on their website [w178-01] and on this website. A publication is in progress, and is eagerly awaited.

Unfortunately, I am not aware of any similar studies being undertaken elsewhere in the honey badger's large geographic range. Field studies of honey badgers in other parts of Africa and in Asia, where conditions are very different to southern Africa, would help to reveal the extent to which the honey badger alters its behaviour to succeed in different climates and environments.

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Welfare

As far as I am aware, few efforts are being made to enhance the welfare of this species in any part of its range. However, the Harnas Wildlife Foundation in Namibia, which provides a home for injured, orphaned and unwanted wild animals, has taken in a honey badger [w194-01].

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Picture credits

The honey badger photo used at the head of this Article is © Tim Davis / Photo Researchers, Inc. Used with the permission of the Northern Ohio Ferret Association. Credits for the photos used in the right-hand margin of this page for site navigation can be found on the Credits page.

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