PREVIEW

Footage of an Asian badger climbing a tree in South Korea has been captured by scientists for the first time.

The conservation charity ZSL recorded the video, marking a significant observation of this little-studied species.

The badger was seen shimmying up a tree in the mountains of Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea.

Peanut butter was used to entice the badger to investigate the tree trunk, and over 22 days, it was recorded climbing the tree on multiple occasions.

The fact that the badger consistently climbed above the height of the peanut butter – and over such a long period – indicates an inherent climbing ability in Asian badgers. The discovery adds to the very limited knowledge of these creatures.

Chad R. Dobson, a wildlife photographer and naturalist, captured the moment on camera as part of a study on wildlife in the area.

Joshua Elves-Powell, a PhD researcher at ZSL’s Institute of Zoology and UCL, also took part in the study.

Asian badgers, which are native to Mongolia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, the Korean Peninsula and Russia, are usually known for their underground digging. However, some climbing ability has been seen in the closely related European badger.

While not endangered, Asian badgers are threatened by illegal hunting for their fat oil, commonly used in traditional Mongolian medicine.

ZSL researchers are now working to better understand these animals and the threats they face as part of the conservation organisation’s global work tackling unsustainable wildlife trade.