The first three badgers, discovered on the footpath on the north side of Buckland Wood, are believed to have been shot days before they were found.
PC Parker from Gloucestershire Constabulary’s Rural Crime Team said: “Badgers are protected by law and it is a criminal offence to intentionally capture, kill or injure a badger.
“This incident has understandably caused upset for the wildlife community and we want to do all we can to identify those responsible.”
Craig Fellowes MBE, wildlife crime manager and trainer for the Badger Trust, said badgers continue to face persecution in the UK, “despite clear laws prohibiting their shooting unless licensed”.