A host of celebrities are backing a badger-saving Christmas single this festive season
Badger protection charity, the Badger Trust, has put a decidedly festive twist on its latest campaign by releasing a Christmas single featuring wildlife broadcasting superstars Sir David Attenborough and Chris Packham.
The Present of Life is being released in partnership with eco-fashion brand Rapanui and has backing from a host of other celebrities including DJ Rob Da Bank, Queen guitarist Brian May and weather legend Michael Fish. The song’s video features Fish in a Santa hat, ‘playing’ an impressive guitar solo.
All royalties from the campaign will go directly to the Badger Trust, which hopes to raise awareness of Brian May’s petition to the government to stop the proposed badger cull, which threatens the lives of thousands of badgers in the UK.
Sir David Attenborough, who appears in the single and video, said the badger cull is an unnecessary procedure: “The government commissioned a scientific study into culling eleven thousand badgers. And the results of that independent scientific study were that culling is not a viable policy option.”
Wildlife superhero Chris Packham agreed: “85% of our countryside is farmed, and farmers are therefore major custodians of wildlife and sustainability in the UK. Farms are also businesses. It’s understandable that a farmer on the verge of bankruptcy might look to drastic measures to reduce their losses, but science shows the cull isn’t the answer.
“If we supported farmers more and bought their produce, perhaps they’d lend their ear to environmentalists a little more easily. British consumers can help British badgers by supporting British farmers.”
Those involved with the single hope that it could rival the X Factor’s Christmas release for the number one chart position this season.
“The battle for the coveted Christmas number one spot is always tough, but one we are ready for,” said Packham. “It will be difficult going up against the X Factor, but we’ll give it a good shot. It would be an amazing achievement.”
