Train Passengers on Multiple Rail Lines Face Cancellations Due to Badger Burrowing Causing Track Subsidence.
Dutch authorities are building a safer burrow for badgers. (Photo: Adobe).
While train services across Europe are affected by worker strikes, infrastructure costs, and erratic weather, Dutch railways are facing an unusual threat from badgers. Badgers are disrupting railway operations in the Netherlands as they dig burrows beneath the tracks, leading to numerous passenger cancellations, reported CNN on March 23.
The Netherlands is home to approximately 7,000 badgers. Local media have noted 40 locations nationwide where badgers could hinder rail services. They often choose inconvenient spots to set up their dens. Train traffic has been suspended for several weeks between the two major southern cities of Den Bosch and Eindhoven due to concerns that the badger burrows are weakening the ground beneath the tracks.
“Badgers dig burrows in sandy soil. Therefore, they prefer to live along the railway embankments“, said a spokesperson for ProRail, the Dutch government organization responsible for maintaining the national railway network. “However, they need to go outside. The tracks are subsiding due to their burrowing activity, making it unsafe for train traffic. That’s why there are currently no trains running between Workum and Stavoren.” Workum and Stavoren are located in the northern province of Friesland.
On the morning of March 23, ProRail constructed a barrier in Molkwerum, a village situated between Workum and Stavoren, while attempting to lure the badgers into an artificial burrow at a safe distance from the tracks. ProRail also announced plans to install several kilometers of fencing to prevent badgers from accessing the tracks. However, the removal of the badgers will take time. According to ProRail’s announcement, the badgers will have a week to migrate to the new burrow under the guidance of an ecologist. If the badger group refuses to migrate, ProRail will begin excavation on April 3.
A veterinarian will be present to sedate any badger that remains under the tracks. These badgers will be taken to a temporary shelter and then returned to the artificial burrow next to the tracks. The relocation of the badgers and the reinforcement of the tracks is expected to continue until April 24.
