American Badgers - Co-habitation with Man
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Source:
Edinburgh And Lothians Badger Group
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American Badgers have been known for a long time. Yet, close habitation with man did not always turn out to be beneficial to both. Particularly, Badgers were considered malignant creatures that had to be destroyed with all means possible, including trapping, shooting, and other ways.
In fact, most damage caused resulted from Badger burrows. They were rather dangerous for livestock and horsemen. By having stepped into a Badger burrow, animals rarely escaped injuries. Besides, numerous burrows with long tunnels were a problem for farmers. Badger holes harmed crop fields and led to harvest losses. Machines also suffered from Badger activity.
Moreover, Badgers preyed on livestock. Not even a high fence could prevent a Badger from reaching a kill. Digging under a fence made way for these carnivores and resulted in livestock damage. Thus, American Badger populations had to be controlled. This led to significant species destruction and reduced the number of Badgers in some regions to the point of extermination.
American Badgers - Cornerstone Species
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Source:
Neath Port Talbot Badger Group
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Meanwhile, American Badgers are considered a cornerstone species in many ecosystems. They are an important link in the food chain of many regions and are essential for controlling rodent populations. Their burrows are often used by other small animals (including rare ones) as homes and shelters, which is instrumental for their conservation. The importance of Badger burrows for soil improvement is hard to overestimate. Numerous holes result in aeration and help to maintain soil quality.
Thus, the necessity of American Badger conservation is evident. It will not only preserve the species inherent to the ecosystem of the United States and Canada, but also help to save the diversity of wildlife. To provide effective ways of American Badger conservation, special projects are launched. Their primary aim is to inform the public on the life of the American Badger, acknowledge its importance for the environment, encourage further investigation of American Badger food habits, habitat, density, and factors that influence its population level.
American Badgers - Status
Species status is considered determinant in organizing conservation activities. The American Badger is not on the endangered species list in most US states. Yet, many scientists and ecologically minded people take interest in protecting this animal and promoting it by the means of public education and keeping record of American Badger sightings. Moreover, the American Badger is listed as a Species of Special Concern in some states. Nowadays, there is a trend of increased Badger population in the United States.
The species is more at risk in Canada. The beginning of the 20th century was characterized by excessive persecution of the American Badger. As the result, the population decreased greatly causing authorities to raise the alarm. When having investigated the distribution of the American Badger in provinces, scientists were terrified. The species turned out to be on the edge of extinction. Since 1967 trapping, shooting, selling fur, or other means of damaging the American Badger have been considered illegal. Nevertheless, a long-term annihilation of the species that took place in the first half of the 20th century has never been managed.
In 1993, the American Badger entered the Blue List (the list effective in British Columbia), which indicated that the species depended greatly on human activities and any man caused changes in habitat or agriculture management told upon the animal and its distribution. A few years later, in 1999, when research work determined low numbers of American Badgers in some provinces (namely, about 200 adults in British Columbia), it moved to the Red List (species considered threatened and endangered). The COSEWIC (Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada) took care to lay the basis for further conservation of the American Badger in Canada.
Badger conservation is monitored both on the national and regional level. Thus, some projects aim at evaluating American Badger distribution within a limited area, determining what influences their population, and working out a plan to better maintain the species. Thompson-Okanagan Badger Project and Habitat Associations of American Badgers in British Columbia are just a few of them.
American Badgers - Destructive Factors
Urbanization and spreading of extended highways are among the major factors that change American Badger distribution greatly. The growth of towns results in the encroachment on original Badger habitats and the habitats of other small animals that comprise the basic ration of the Badger. Many animals become the victims of heavy traffic. When faced with obstacles on the road, American Badgers will not jump over them but try to dig under them, which is not always a success. Solid building materials employed at the construction of highways will trap American Badgers on the road leaving no chance for escape.
Fire suppression also contributes to Badger habitat loss. Earlier, natural fires destructed forests providing for more open areas, a common habitat of the American Badger. Nowadays, man has learned to control fire to preserve forests, which leaves no room for grassland expansion. On the contrary, melioration is beneficial for the species supplying it with available habitat. Thus, the efforts of conservationists should be aimed at promoting reasonable management of land and sound agriculture politics to supply American Badgers with sufficient habitat and prey.
American Badgers - Conservation Links
Badger Conservation - Information on Badger conservation in Canada from Kootenay national Park of Canada.
Badgers at Risk - Badgers, an endangered species in Canada needs help. Learn about the ways to help.
Badgers in British Columbia at Risk - The Ministry of water, land and air protection informs public on the Badger's lifestyle, conservation status, and politics to follow to preserve this valuable carnivore.
Badgers in Canada - Information on studies assessing the Badger populations and ecology.
Endangered Species - The Badger - Featured article informs on the Thompson-Okanagan Badger Project.
Habitat Associations of American Badgers in British Columbia - Information on this endangered species in British Columbia. Contains methods of research, results, and discussions.
Thompson-Okanagan Badger Project - The objectives of the project that aims at preserving the American Badger.
Wildlife Status Reports - Information on the American Badger, its habitat, distribution, and dynamics of spreading.
American Badgers - Links of Interest
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Source:
Neath Port Talbot Badger Group
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Adventure with the Badger - Contains description, distribution, biology, tracks, and statistics.
American Badger Account - Contains accounts for the American Badger in New Mexico and Arizona supplied by the BIOTA Information System of New Mexico.
American Badger Facts - Description, range, diet, breeding, and other facts.
American Badger Guide - Description and information on American Badger's lifestyle.
American Badger Life History - Distribution and basic facts about the species.
American Badgers in Illinois - Read this article on the American Badger in Illinois by Barbara Ver Steeg (Illinois Natural History) and Richard E. Warner (University of Illinois).
Badger Exhibit - Description and interesting facts on the American Badger.
Calgary's Weaselhead Society - Article gives insight on the life of the American Badger.
Claws of the American Badger - Article gives the insight on the life of the American Badger.
Comparative Mammalian Brain Collections - Taxidea Taxus - Physical characteristics and distribution of the North American Badger and brain photographs.
Scanning American Badger's Skull - Find description of the American Badger, learn the origins of its name, and view pictures of its skull with comments.
Wildlife Management - Badgers - PDF file contains information on the American Badger, including the range, food habits, general biology, reproduction, behavior, legal status, damage and damage identification, and damage prevention.
