Badgers are a common sight in Prairie regions, but a recent federal evaluation indicates that they are susceptible to similar risks 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). This committee evaluates the endangered status of native species and advises the federal government accordingly.
In December, the advisory panel classified the “Kootenay, Prairies and Rainy River” population, covering badgers across the Prairie provinces, parts of southeastern British Columbia, and northwestern Ontario, as “special concern.” The other two populations in southwestern Ontario and the B.C. Interior are labeled as endangered, with estimates of fewer than 250 adult badgers in each region.
Chris Johnson, a member of the COSEWIC terrestrial mammals subcommittee from the University of Northern British Columbia, mentioned the challenges in estimating badger numbers due to their elusive behavior. He emphasized the various risks and threats badgers face in Canada, including habitat loss, vehicle collisions, and intentional killing by landowners.
Johnson stressed the importance of managing these threats to prevent badgers from further endangerment. The “special concern” classification by COSEWIC implies the need for caution to prevent the species from reaching threatened or endangered status at the federal level.
Vehicle Collisions a Major Threat to Badgers
Alberta’s government oversees a Wildlife Watch Program that monitors roadkill incidents annually. In 2024, the program recorded 112 badger roadkill cases in the province.
Calgary wildlife biologist Chris Fisher noted the common occurrence of badgers near roads, both alive and deceased. He highlighted the vulnerability of adult badgers to road accidents, given their special concern status.
Fisher explained that badgers are drawn to roadsides due to the ease of digging burrows in sloped ditches, where Richardson’s ground squirrels, a key prey for badgers, also reside. This proximity to roads increases the risk of collisions with vehicles, especially at night when badgers are more active and rely on their sense of smell.
Habitat Loss Threatens Badger Populations
The endangered badger populations in southwestern Ontario and the B.C. Interior face habitat limitations compared to the expansive Prairie landscapes. Urban sprawl encroaching on former badger habitats further endangers these populations.
Habitat loss in Canada’s grasslands, recognized as one of the world’s most endangered ecosystems, poses a significant threat to various species, including the American badger. Fisher described badgers as crucial to the North American grassland ecosystem and emphasized their role as “ecosystem engineers.”
University of Alberta professor Colleen Cassady St. Clair highlighted a study showing 31 species utilizing badger burrows, underscoring their ecological significance. However, badgers have historically faced persecution due to concerns over livestock safety and property damage.
Badgers, classified as a sensitive species in Alberta since 2000, are not currently at risk of extinction in the province but may require specific protections to prevent future endangerment. They are also considered furbearers in Alberta, allowing hunting and trapping, and landowners have the authority to remove badgers from their property.
Fisher, in his role as a wildlife consultant, advocates for measures to safeguard sensitive species, such as maintaining a safe distance from active badger dens during construction activities.
