Badgers, predominantly found on the Prairies, are facing similar risks as the endangered populations in Ontario and British Columbia, according to a recent federal assessment.
The American badger, the sole badger species on the continent, is categorized into three populations by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). The “Kootenay, Prairies, and Rainy River” population, covering badgers in the Prairie provinces and parts of British Columbia and Ontario, was labeled as “special concern” in December. The other two populations in southwestern Ontario and the B.C. Interior are considered endangered, with fewer than 250 adult badgers estimated in each region.
Chris Johnson, a COSEWIC terrestrial mammals subcommittee member from the University of Northern British Columbia, highlighted the challenges of estimating badger numbers due to their secretive behavior. Threats to the badger population across Canada include habitat loss, vehicle collisions, and killings by landowners.
The “special concern” designation by COSEWIC indicates the need for measures to prevent the species from becoming threatened or endangered at the federal level.
Vehicle collisions are a significant cause of badger fatalities, with the Alberta government’s Wildlife Watch Program reporting 112 badger roadkill carcasses in 2024. Wildlife biologist Chris Fisher noted the attraction of badgers to roadsides for burrow digging, leading to increased risks of collisions. The presence of Richardson’s ground squirrels near roadsides further contributes to badger road fatalities.
Habitat loss is a critical issue for the endangered badger populations in southwestern Ontario and the B.C. Interior. Fisher emphasized the impact of suburban expansion on former badger habitats, especially in Canada’s endangered grasslands ecosystem. Badgers play a vital role as “ecosystem engineers,” creating burrows used by various species, though they face persecution from humans for damaging farm property.
While badgers are considered a sensitive species in Alberta, they are not currently at risk of extinction but require protection to prevent future threats. The species can be hunted and trapped as furbearers in Alberta, and landowners have the authority to eliminate badgers on their properties. Fisher advocates for measures to safeguard sensitive species during construction activities, such as maintaining a safe distance from active badger dens.