This has got to be one of the most bizarre stories to come out of Iraqi – a seriously weird, some have even said scary rumour has popped up, claiming giant man-eating badgers have been released by British troops in the port city or Basra.
Several creatures have been caught and killed by locals, but have been identified by experts as nothing more than honey badgers, which are indigenous nocturnal carnivores that don’t attack humans unless cornered – and even then they would prefer to eat earthworms, termites and scorpions, not humans!
Interestingly, the honey badger, or Ratel (Mellivora capensis) to give its real name, has been named the most fearless animal in the Guinness Book of World Records for a number of years.
Amusingly, Major Mike Shearer, a UK military spokesman said: “We can categorically state that we have not released man-eating badgers into the area.” Does this mean they have released them elsewhere?
Man it’s a crazy world, you have to wonder where these stories originate from.
External Links:
British blamed for Basra badgers
Giant badgers terrorise Iraqi port city
