A recent federal evaluation suggests that badgers, a common presence on the Prairies, are facing similar threats to endangered populations in Ontario and British Columbia. The American badger, the sole badger species in North America, is categorized into three populations by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). The “Kootenay, Prairies, and Rainy River” population, spanning across the Prairie provinces, parts of southeastern British Columbia, and northwestern Ontario, was designated as of “special concern” in December.
In contrast, the other two populations in southwestern Ontario and the B.C. Interior are deemed endangered, with estimates of fewer than 250 adult badgers in each region. The assessment highlights threats such as habitat loss, vehicle collisions, and human-induced fatalities impacting badgers nationwide.
Chris Johnson, a COSEWIC terrestrial mammals subcommittee member from the University of Northern British Columbia, stated the challenges in estimating badger numbers due to their elusive behavior. He emphasized the need for managing these risks to prevent badgers from further decline.
Vehicle collisions are identified as a significant cause of badger deaths, with Alberta’s Wildlife Watch Program recording 112 badger roadkill carcasses in 2024. Calgary wildlife biologist Chris Fisher noted the common occurrence of badgers near roads, where they are at risk due to their digging behavior and attraction to prey in roadside ditches.
Habitat loss is a pressing issue for the endangered badger populations in Ontario and the B.C. Interior, as urban development encroaches on their natural habitats. Fisher emphasized the critical role of badgers as “ecosystem engineers” in the grassland ecosystem, with their burrows supporting a variety of species. Despite their ecological importance, badgers face persecution from humans due to concerns over property damage.
In Alberta, badgers are classified as a sensitive species, warranting special attention for their conservation. They are also considered furbearers, allowing hunting and trapping in the province. Fisher advocates for protective measures, such as maintaining distance from active badger dens during construction projects, to safeguard these vulnerable species.