Badgers, commonly found on the Prairies, are facing similar threats to endangered populations in Ontario and British Columbia, according to a recent federal assessment. The American badger, the sole badger species in North America, is divided into three populations by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). In December, the advisory panel categorized the “Kootenay, Prairies, and Rainy River” population, spanning 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 classified as endangered, with estimates of fewer than 250 adult badgers in each region. Chris Johnson, a member of the COSEWIC terrestrial mammals subcommittee, highlighted the challenges in estimating badger numbers due to their elusive nature. Threats such as habitat loss, vehicle collisions, and human-caused fatalities are endangering badgers across Canada.
The “special concern” designation by COSEWIC indicates the need for proactive measures to prevent the species from becoming threatened or endangered at the federal level. In Alberta, the Wildlife Watch Program tracks roadkill carcasses, revealing 112 badger roadkill incidents in 2024. Wildlife biologist Chris Fisher noted the prevalence of badgers on roadsides due to their burrowing habits and attraction to prey like Richardson’s ground squirrels.
Badgers’ nocturnal behavior and reliance on smell rather than sight make them vulnerable to vehicle collisions. Habitat loss, especially in the endangered populations of southwestern Ontario and the B.C. Interior, poses a significant threat. This loss of habitat in Canada’s grasslands, one of the world’s most endangered ecosystems, endangers various species, including the American badger, a crucial component of the North American grassland ecosystem.
Colleen Cassady St. Clair, a biological sciences professor at the University of Alberta, emphasized the role of badgers as “ecosystem engineers,” citing a study that documented 31 species using badger burrows. Despite their ecological importance, badgers face persecution from humans due to conflicts with livestock and property damage. While not currently at risk of extinction in Alberta, badgers are classified as sensitive species and may require protection to prevent future threats.
Badgers are considered furbearers in Alberta, allowing hunting and trapping, with landowners also permitted to control badgers on their properties. Wildlife consultant Chris Fisher advocates for measures to safeguard sensitive species, including maintaining a safe distance from active badger dens during construction activities.