On the Prairies, badgers, a common sight, are facing similar threats as the endangered populations in Ontario and British Columbia, according to a recent federal assessment. The American badger, the only badger species on this continent and a member of the weasel family, is divided into three populations by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). In December, COSEWIC designated the “Kootenay, Prairies and Rainy River” population, spanning across Prairie provinces, parts of southeastern British Columbia, and northwestern Ontario, as “special concern.” In contrast, the other two populations in southwestern Ontario and the B.C. Interior are classified as endangered, with estimations indicating fewer than 250 adult badgers in each region.
Chris Johnson, a COSEWIC terrestrial mammals subcommittee member and University of Northern British Columbia professor, highlighted the challenges in estimating badger populations due to their elusive nature. Johnson emphasized the various risks and threats badgers face across Canada, including habitat loss, vehicle collisions, and deliberate killings by landowners.
The “special concern” designation by COSEWIC signifies the need for preventive measures to avert the species from becoming threatened or endangered at the federal level. Vehicle collisions are a significant cause of badger mortality, as evidenced by the Alberta Wildlife Watch Program recording 112 badger roadkill carcasses in 2024. Wildlife biologist Chris Fisher noted the common occurrence of badgers near roads due to their preference for digging burrows in sloped ditches, where they can easily access Richardson’s ground squirrels, their primary prey.
Habitat loss poses a significant threat to badgers in endangered populations in southwestern Ontario and the B.C. Interior, as urban sprawl encroaches on their natural habitat. Fisher emphasized the importance of preserving grasslands, a critically endangered ecosystem and home to the American badger. Described as a key species in the North American grassland ecosystem, badgers play a crucial role as “ecosystem engineers,” aiding in the survival of various other species that utilize their burrows.
Despite their ecological significance, badgers have historically faced persecution from humans due to concerns about property damage and livestock safety. While badgers are classified as a sensitive species in Alberta since 2000, allowing hunting and trapping under regulations, efforts are needed to protect their habitats and mitigate conflicts with humans. Fisher advocates for increased awareness among builders and landowners to safeguard sensitive species like badgers by implementing measures to preserve their habitats and prevent harm during construction activities.