SRUC STUDENTS at Oatridge campus are being trained up to become qualified badger surveyors.

Students studying Countryside Management at the college are learning how to survey badgers and interpret their findings as part of a new Level 1 Badger Surveyor course being delivered by charity Scottish Badgers and part funded by a University Innovation Fund grant.

A dozen students took part in a classroom lesson, before taking part in a fieldwork session on the campus, which is home to a number of monitored setts.

They will continue to undertake badger surveys at various places in different seasons to ensure they can correctly identify badgers in a variety of weathers and habitats.

Oatridge lecturer Chris Smillie, said: “Badgers have a long history of protection in this country. By producing qualified surveyors, SRUC will not only be helping students into their chosen career, but also providing aid to safeguard one of Britain’s most treasured wildlife species.”