Residents of British Columbia are urged to report sightings of American badgers in a new campaign dedicated to safeguarding these elusive creatures. The summer season poses a significant threat to American badgers in B.C., as they are classified as endangered, explained Karina Lamy, a carnivore conservation biologist with the provincial government. The primary cause of mortality for these badgers is road accidents.
According to Lamy, the high mortality rate on roads begins in June, peaks in July, and decreases in August. She emphasized that despite sightings of females with kits, the survival rate is low, with up to 80% mortality in certain areas.
To address the issue of badger fatalities on B.C. roads, the province has launched the B.C. Badger Connectivity Initiative in collaboration with conservation groups Badgers in B.C. and the Simpcw Resources Group. This initiative aims to enhance road safety for badgers by implementing new highway structures and constructing passable culverts at five locations in B.C.’s Interior where badgers are most vulnerable to traffic accidents.
As part of the initiative, individuals spotting a badger, whether alive or deceased, are requested to report it on the Badgers in B.C. website. These reports contribute to a provincial database that aids in identifying areas requiring infrastructure improvements to protect badgers.
Ceryne Staples, who oversees the badger conservation program at Simpcwúl̓ecw, highlighted the significance of public sightings in guiding conservation efforts.
Encounters with American badgers in B.C. are uncommon, as confirmed by Lamy. She disclosed that approximately 245 mature badgers inhabit the Cariboo, Thompson, and Okanagan regions, while up to 160 are found in the Kootenay Boundary region. These species are at risk due to habitat loss from human activities, road accidents, and historical persecution.
Despite their endangered status, American badgers are described as docile creatures by Lamy. She noted that while these animals have a reputation for being fierce, her interactions with them have revealed a calm and composed demeanor.
Currently, the conservation group is trapping badgers to equip them with tracking harnesses for location monitoring. Additionally, cameras have been installed in culverts to observe passage rates, with the goal of collaborating with the Ministry of Transportation and First Nations partners to design safer roads based on gathered
