A petition urging University of Oxford academics to call for an end to badger culling has amassed more than 1,000 signatures.

The petition launched by Oxfordshire Badger Group has called on members of the university's School of Biology to "tell DEFRA [Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs] to end the cruel and ineffective badger cull".

The group has voiced their belief that badger culling is not a solution to controlling bovine tuberculosis.

The petition has so far received 1052 signatures after garnering 647 within 24 hours of launching.

The group argues that the Oxford scientists are allowing their research to be "misused to justify killing many thousands of badgers in Oxfordshire alone".

The petition highlights that a DEFRA consultation on badger culling is open until April 22, and calls on academics to respond recommending the ending of badger culling across the country.

The group said DEFRA's plan to introduce epidemiological culling "could lead to local extinction of badgers across much of Oxfordshire and elsewhere".

This change could see badger destruction on an increasingly large scale due to the "industry's failure to focus on controlling the disease through more effective cattle measures".

The group added: "Culling originated in Oxford University.

"We believe you [the university's School of Biology] have the scientific authority to end it.

"Please, please speak out before it is too late."