May 1st marked the inaugural North American Badger Day, a new initiative aimed at raising awareness about the ecological role and conservation concerns of the North American badger.
“They definitely are in Saskatchewan,” said Grace Pidborchynski, Habitat Stewardship Coordinator with Nature Saskatchewan. “But they are federally listed as special concern, so they are a bit at risk. Why we're kind of doing this Badger Day is to find out more and to raise awareness about exactly how many badgers are in the province and (their) abundance and the distribution of them.”
Badgers are native to Saskatchewan's grasslands and serve a key role in prairie ecosystems. According to Pidborchynski, they help control populations of small mammals such as ground squirrels, consuming an estimated two to three a day, and potentially reducing populations by up to 50 percent in an area. Additionally, their digging habits, which may not always be appreciated, can have long-term ecological benefits.
“They create a burrow web, which are integral to the grassland ecosystem,” she explained. “They help create important habitat for many species, such as the endangered burrowing owl or the swift fox. As well, they can help aerate the soil and help with water infiltration.”
Despite their importance, badgers face increasing threats.
“The biggest threat to the badger here is habitat loss through agricultural activity and urbanization,” Pidborchynski said. “With urbanization, especially, there’s roads, so they cut through American badger territory, which causes these animals to collide with vehicles.”
As part of the celebration for North American Badger Day, Nature Saskatchewan is encouraging the public to get involved by reporting sightings through the iNaturalist app or by calling their Hoot Line at 1-800-667-4668. Photos, track sightings, or even shared social media posts can help.
And for anyone concerned about encountering one, their fierce online reputation may be a bit exaggerated.
“Despite their reputation, they actually don't really pose a threat unless they're cornered,” said Pidborchynski. “They like to avoid conflict. They may defend themselves, but that defence is just primarily loud hissing or growling.”