Badgers are a familiar sight on the Prairies, but a recent federal evaluation indicates that they are susceptible to similar dangers as the endangered populations in Ontario and British Columbia.
The American badger, the sole badger species in North America, belongs to the weasel family and is categorized into three populations by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). In December, the advisory panel identified the “Kootenay, Prairies and Rainy River” population, covering badgers in the Prairie provinces, parts of southeastern British Columbia, and northwestern Ontario, as “special concern.”
Meanwhile, the other two populations in southwestern Ontario and the B.C. Interior are classified as endangered, with estimates of less than 250 adult badgers in each region. Chris Johnson, a member of the COSEWIC terrestrial mammals subcommittee from the University of Northern British Columbia, highlighted the challenges in estimating badger numbers due to their elusive nature.
The assessment emphasized threats such as habitat loss, vehicle collisions, and human-induced mortality as significant risks to the badger population in Canada. Johnson emphasized the importance of managing these threats to prevent the badgers from further endangerment.
The designation of “special concern” by COSEWIC indicates the need for protective measures to prevent the species from reaching threatened or endangered status at the federal level.
Vehicle collisions are a prevalent cause of badger fatalities, with the Alberta Wildlife Watch Program reporting 112 badger roadkill carcasses in 2024. Wildlife biologist Chris Fisher noted the common occurrence of badgers near roads, where they are drawn to dig burrows in sloped ditches, often resulting in fatal encounters with vehicles.
Habitat loss is a critical issue for the endangered badger populations in southwestern Ontario and the B.C. Interior, as urban expansion encroaches on their natural habitats. The loss of grasslands, one of the most endangered ecosystems globally, poses a significant threat to various species, including the American badger, a crucial component of the North American grassland ecosystem.
Considered “ecosystem engineers,” badgers play a vital role in shaping their environment by creating expansive burrows that benefit numerous other species. However, they face persecution from humans due to conflicts with livestock and property damage caused by their burrowing activities.
While badgers are not currently at risk of extinction in Alberta, they are classified as sensitive species, necessitating special attention and protection to prevent future endangerment. Badgers are designated as furbearers in Alberta, allowing for hunting and trapping, as well as landowners having the authority to eliminate badgers on their property.
Efforts are underway to safeguard sensitive species like badgers, with initiatives promoting responsible construction practices to protect badger habitats and mitigate potential conflicts with human activities.