American Badger

Species description

The American Badger (Taxidea taxus) is a medium-sized carnivorous mammal which is a member of the weasel family. The species is grey with black and white stripes on their face and head. Individuals have a long body with short legs, long strong claws, and transparent eyelids to protect their eyes from dirt; all of these traits allow them to dig dens and prey out of burrows. This species is primarily nocturnal.

There are two populations of the American Badger that are recognized on the Species at Risk in Ontario List. The American Badger Southwestern Ontario population (Taxidea taxus jacksoni) occurs in southwestern Ontario, mainly along the north shore of Lake Erie, while the American Badger Northwestern Ontario population (Taxidea taxus taxus) occurs in northwestern Ontario near Rainy River and Fort Frances. American Badgers occupy habitats such as grasslands, open forests, hedgerows and field edges. Soil is a major factor influencing their distribution and areas of sandy or loamy soils are preferred by the species in Ontario. They do not typically inhabit cultivated fields. A map of the provincial distribution of the American Badger is available on the Government of Ontario’s species at risk website.

The American Badger faces several threats to its survival and recovery, including habitat loss, road mortality, predation by domestic dogs or coyotes, killing and persecution, incidental trapping and disease such as canine distemper. The loss of native and human-maintained grassland habitats has been extensive throughout the historical range of the American Badger.

The survival and recovery of the American Badger is influenced by other factors as well. As stated above, the species prefers areas with sandy deposits. This preference may constrain the American Badger to specific areas, therefore limiting its ability to disperse. Additionally, limited food availability and small population sizes may result in larger home ranges for the American Badger to find prey and reproduce, which may result in an elevated risk of road mortality.

Both populations of the American Badger are listed as endangered at the provincial level (Species at Risk in Ontario List). At the federal level, the American Badger jacksoni subspecies is listed as endangered (Schedule 1 under the Species at Risk Act) and the American Badger taxus subspecies has been assessed as special concern by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). Globally, the American Badger is considered to be secure; this rank takes into account multiple subspecies of American Badger.

Provincial status

Prior to the Endangered Species Act, 2007 (ESA or “the Act”) the American Badger was assessed by the Committee on the Status of Species at Risk in Ontario (COSSARO). American Badger was listed as endangered on the Species at Risk in Ontario List in 2004, but was not regulated under the previous Endangered Species Act. The species retained its endangered status when the ESA came into force in 2008. The American Badger was recently reassessed by COSSARO, at which point COSSARO identified two geographically distinct populations of the species, the Northwestern population (Taxidea taxus taxus) and the Southwestern population (Taxidea taxus jacksoni). Both of these populations have been listed as endangered. The Species at Risk in Ontario List was amended on March 31, 2015 to include both populations of the species. Recent genetic studies (Ethier et al. 2012) have indicated apparent genetic isolation of the Southwestern population from other Canadian badgers warranting their recognition as a geographically distinct population. It is also recognized that the Northwestern population is more closely grouped to American Badger taxus subspecies in Manitoba. In future assessments, COSSARO may consider information regarding the species’ threats and trends in population and distribution gained through protection and recovery actions.

Species and habitat protection

Protecting the American Badger and enforcing the protection of the habitat of the species are key components in the implementation of the ESA and continue to be government-led actions, as identified in the government response statement. Both populations of the American Badger are listed as endangered and have been protected from being killed, harmed, harassed, captured or taken under the ESA since it came into force in 2008. In addition, the habitat of the American Badger has been protected from being damaged or destroyed since 2010, when the government developed a habitat regulation for the species. Further information on species and habitat protection is provided in section 2.3 of the introductory chapter of this document.

Although the ESA does not require a habitat regulation to be developed for transition species ^{footnote 1[1]} such as American Badger, the government developed the regulation to provide clarity to the public and others on what areas are protected as American Badger habitat (Ontario Regulation 242/08, Section 24). The habitat regulation was developed based on consideration of the habitat needs of the species and comments received through public consultation.

In 2015, the American Badger was split into two newly-listed populations on the Species at Risk in Ontario List. Both populations are still protected from being killed, harmed, harassed, captured or taken under the ESA. However, as a result of splitting the species into two populations, the existing habitat regulation for American Badger no longer legally applies to the species. Instead, the habitat of both populations of American Badger now receive protection from being damaged or destroyed based on the general habitat definition in the ESA. Although the habitat regulation no longer applies, it still reflects best available scientific information, which can be used when applying the general habitat definition to both newly-listed populations.

Any person who negatively impacts the American Badger or its habitat without prior authorization may be prosecuted under the ESA.

Recovery strategy

A recovery strategy for the American Badger was completed on February 18, 2010, which was in advance of the date required by the ESA. It represents best science advice to government. The strategy identified the habitat needs of the American Badger and the threats it faces, while recommending objectives and approaches for protecting and recovering the species. The recovery strategy also included recommendations on the areas of habitat to be considered in the development of a habitat regulation.

Government response statement

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (“the Ministry”) published the government response statement (GRS) for the American Badger on November 18, 2010, which was within the timeline required by the ESA. The GRS is government policy that contains the Government of Ontario’s goal for the recovery of the American Badger.

To help achieve this goal, the government leads and supports a number of recovery actions. Common actions for the government to lead as it works towards achieving the species’ recovery goal are provided in section 2.5 of the introductory chapter of the document. The GRS for American Badger also outlines 11 actions for which the Ministry is using a variety of methods to support others to undertake. These government-supported actions fall under the objectives identified in the GRS, which are:

• Address knowledge gaps on American Badger ecology, distribution, population dynamics and habitat use in the species’ Ontario range;
• Identify and reduce or eliminate known human-related threats to American Badgers in Ontario; and
• Increase public awareness of and appreciation for the American Badger and its ecological role in grassland and agricultural ecosystems.

The subsequent sections of this chapter provide a review of actions that the government has led or supported to help achieve the recovery goal for the American Badger.

Government funded projects

An important government-led action in the GRS for the American Badger is to support partners to undertake activities to protect and recover the species. Through the Species at Risk Stewardship Fund the Ministry has supported a total of 29 projects designed to contribute to the protection and recovery of the American Badger. Four of these projects ($307,149) focused exclusively on the species, while the other 25 projects ($1,452,886) focused on multiple species at risk, including American Badger. In addition to the funding provided through the Species at Risk Stewardship Fund, partners focusing exclusively on the American Badger reported that they were successful in securing additional funding ($53,665) from other sources, as did partners with projects designed to benefit multiple species at risk, including the American Badger ($1,660,819).These values for additional funding and in-kind support include the estimated value of the time and expertise provided by volunteers, which are outlined below.

Stewardship partners also reported that the province’s funding support helped them to involve six individuals who volunteered 1,150 hours of their time toward protection and recovery activities that focused exclusively on the American Badger, which has an estimated value of $11,000. As well, a total of 2,091 individuals volunteered 25,879 hours of their time toward protection and recovery activities for multiple species at risk, including the American Badger which has an estimated value of $622,850. The Ministry’s stewardship partners reported providing focused outreach on the American Badger to 111,200 individuals through media coverage (e.g., newspapers, television and website visits) and community events. Ecosystem-based outreach on multiple species (including the American Badger) was delivered to 30,515 individuals.

The Ministry also supports proponents to conduct research that addresses important knowledge gaps for species at risk. Through the Species at Risk Research Fund for Ontario, the Ministry provided funding to a total of four projects to conduct research on American Badger movement, dispersal, distribution and genetics.

Species at Risk Stewardship Fund

• 
  $307,149

  for American Badger exclusively

• 
  $1,452,886

  for multi-species projects that included American Badger

• 
  $1,714,484

  in additional funding and in-kind support

• 
  29

  projects included American Badger

• 
  2,097

  volunteers

• 
  27,029

  hours

• 
  141,715

  people received outreach

In order to gain a greater understanding of the American Badger’s ecology, stewardship partners combined public outreach with research and monitoring by inviting members of the public to report sightings of the species. Sightings reported by the public allowed the partners to first identify areas of recent American Badger activity and then focus field monitoring and research efforts in these areas. These projects grew and built upon previous work with each year of funding. The remainder of this section highlights these and other projects that were supported through the Species at Risk Stewardship Fund and the Species at Risk Research Fund for Ontario, as well as their corresponding government-supported recovery actions.

To increase awareness and appreciation of the American Badger, stewardship partners wrote numerous newspaper and magazine articles, distributed flyers, brochures and posters and gave several presentations at schools and stakeholder events. Outreach material was strategically distributed to relevant interest groups such as: landowners, farmers, hunters, taxidermists, naturalists, municipal road workers, rehabilitators, conservation authorities, and provincial parks. As an example, partners engaged private landowners with suspected American Badger activity directly by talking to them personally or leaving information at their residence. In Ontario, most of the species’ habitat occurs on private land and engaging with landowners directly increases the landowner’s knowledge of badgers, while invoking a sense of involvement and pride. Farmers were further engaged through articles in farming magazines and local newspapers, as well as targeted mail-outs. A website was also created in 2009 and has been updated accordingly to provide information on American Badgers and details on how to identify and report sightings. Visitation to the website has seen dramatic increases in traffic since its inception. The website is estimated to receive roughly 30 visits per day, of which half are from Ontario. This project supported the GRS action to develop outreach and monitoring materials for distribution to a variety of stakeholder groups.

An American Badger hotline was also maintained to allow the public to report sightings; this is an action identified within the GRS. Through the hotline, email and the use of the website, approximately 423 suspected American Badger sightings were reported between 2009 and 2013. These reports have helped to determine areas where American Badgers may be residing and have increased awareness of the species.

Stewardship partners from 2009 to present analyzed the DNA of road killed and trapped specimens as well as scat and hair samples from American Badgers in order to determine the number of individuals within a certain area. This project has led to new information regarding the population size of American Badger in this study area as well as information on possible methods of monitoring the size of American Badger populations. This project aligned with the GRS action to develop and implement monitoring and reporting protocols to improve understanding of American Badger’s distribution and abundance.

Stewardship partners also examined knowledge gaps on the distribution and habitat use of American Badgers by using radio-telemetry to track nine American Badgers in 2012 and 2013. This research led to important new information regarding the species habitat use including home range size as well as daily and seasonal changes in the species’ movement. The study also identified a possible indicator for determining whether a landscape is suitable for American Badger habitat. This work directly links to the GRS action to determine the species’ habitat use and movement through radio-telemetry studies.

Major advances have been made towards the GRS action to investigate the connectivity and genetic similarities between populations of American Badger, which improved knowledge of barriers to the species’ dispersal and gene flow. One partner used DNA analysis of recognized badger subspecies in Canada to examine the genetic structure of Ontario’s badger population. Results from the study showed that the range of the Taxidea taxus jacksoni may be more segregated and restricted than was previously thought and that American Badgers in the northwest were more closely associated with Taxidea taxus taxus than Taxidea taxus jacksoni. The results of this study indicated that there were two genetically different populations of American Badger occurring in Ontario. Additionally, by examining connectivity between populations, the partners found that the Strait of Mackinac is likely a significant barrier to dispersal for badgers, while the St. Clair River appeared to have a less substantial impact on dispersal. This implies that the Southwestern population may be at an elevated risk due to genetic isolation and low effective population size (Ethier et al. 2012). The results of this research were instrumental in the reassessment of the American Badger and link with the GRS action to investigate the connectivity and genetic similarities between populations of American Badger to improve knowledge on barriers to movement and gene flow.

Efforts to minimize adverse effects on American Badger

Supporting partners to undertake activities to protect and recover the American Badger, such as through permits and their associated conditions, is an important government-led action identified in the GRS for the species. There have been four ‘protection and recovery permits’ (i.e., 17(2)(b) permit) issued, exclusively for the American Badger. Protection and recovery permits are issued if the purpose of the activity is to assist the protection or recovery of a species at risk. The focus of these permits was to conduct monitoring and scientific research on the American Badger. Research involved radio-telemetry to track the movement of American Badgers and to collect hair, claw, tissue and fecal samples for genetic testing. A condition of the permits was that animal care protocols for the American Badger be followed. Several of these permits implemented government-supported actions identified in the GRS such as determining the species’ habitat use and movement, improving knowledge of the species’ distribution and abundance, and investigating connectivity and genetic similarities.

There have been seven activities that may affect the American Badger or its habitat that have been registered for the purposes of Ontario Regulation 242/08 under the ESA since 2013. Six of the activities are registered under ‘Threats to health and safety, not imminent’ (section 23.18), while one is registered under ‘Wind facilities’ (section 23.20). Activities registered under ‘Threats to health and safety, not imminent’ (section 23.18) require the registered person to comply with all conditions of the regulation, such as:

• Taking immediate steps to minimize adverse effects on the species and its habitat; and
• Creating and implementing a mitigation plan developed by an expert on the affected species for more complex activities.

Activities registered under ‘Wind facilities’ (section 23.30) require the registered person to comply with all conditions of the regulation, such as:

• Taking immediate steps to minimize adverse effects on the species and its habitat;
• Creating and implementing a mitigation plan developed by an expert on the affected species and ensuring the plan is updated at least once every five years;
• Reporting any sightings of rare species; and
• Using an expert to monitor the effects of operations on a species and how effective steps to minimize the impact have been.

• 4
  protection or recovery permits
• 7
  registrations

Occurrences of American Badger in Ontario

Natural Heritage Information Centre

The American Badger is separated into two populations in the province: the Southwestern Ontario population and Northwestern Ontario population. In southwestern Ontario, there are 19 local populations ^{footnote 2[2]} where the species has been documented by breeding evidence. Sixteen local populations are determined to be extant (i.e., have been observed within the past 20 years) and one American Badger population was reported in late 1800s and is believed to be extirpated (i.e. no longer exists). There are also two historical ^{footnote 3[3]} populations of American Badger (i.e., species has not been reported to have been observed within the last 20 years).

Since 2008, nine new local populations of American Badger have been identified in southwestern Ontario and recently submitted observations of the species made prior to 2008 have identified an additional five local populations for a total of fourteen new populations. The identification of these new local populations is likely a result of increased search effort and education about the American Badger. In 2012, COSEWIC estimated that the Southwestern Ontario population contained fewer than 200 adults. The overall distribution of the species remains mostly unchanged.

American Badgers have historically occurred in northwestern Ontario and establishment is thought to reflect a series of colonization and extirpation events rather than representing a permanent viable population (COSEWIC 2012). Species observations in northwestern Ontario are limited to a 3000 square kilometre area between Rainy River and Fort Frances (COSEWIC 2012). An occupied denning site was observed in 2014 (J. Van den Broeck pers. comm. 2015) confirming the species’ recent presence.

Since 2008, when the American Badger became protected under the ESA, the Ministry has received 75 records of the species. These records are based on observations documented between 1957 and 2014 and have come from a variety of sources. Records submitted have helped to redefine where the species is known and has been known to occur within the two populations, and can provide additional information on the species’ habitat and threats. For instance, since 2008, observations of the species have been made at two previously known American Badger populations. It is possible that there are observations of the American Badger that have not been submitted to the Ministry. Encouraging the submission of American Badger observations is included in the GRS as a government-led action.

Everyone is encouraged, or may be required by an authorization or approval, to submit observations of the American Badger, as well as every other species at risk, to the Ministry’s Natural Heritage Information Centre for incorporation into the provincial record of observations.

• 75
  observations of the species were submitted to the NHIC since 2008

Summary of progress towards meeting the recovery goal and recommendations

Summary of progress

Progress has been made toward all government-led actions and the majority of government-supported actions outlined in the GRS for the American Badger. As indicated in this chapter, the Government of Ontario has directly undertaken actions to: encourage submission of the American Badger data to the Natural Heritage Information Centre; protect the species through the ESA and its habitat through a habitat regulation; and support partners to undertake activities to protect and recover the species. Additionally, as indicated in the introductory chapter of this document, the government has established and communicated annual priority actions for support (section 3.1); educated other agencies and planning authorities on the requirement to consider the protection of the species and its habitat (sections 3.3 and 4.4); and undertaken communications and outreach to increase public awareness of species at risk in Ontario (section 4.3).

Progress has been made towards all of the government-supported recovery objectives, and most of the associated actions, that are identified in the GRS for the American Badger.

Under the objective to address knowledge gaps on American Badger ecology, distribution, population dynamics and habitat use in the species’ Ontario range, progress has been made towards all four of the actions. These actions have been implemented through projects supported by the Species at Risk Stewardship Fund, through the Species at Risk Research Fund for Ontario, as well as through authorizations. The actions under this objective are:

• Determine the species’ habitat use and movement through radio-telemetry studies and an assessment of habitat availability (Action No. 1; High Priority);
• Investigate the diet of American Badgers and the ecology of their prey species (Action No. 2; High Priority);
• Develop and implement monitoring and reporting protocols to improve understanding of American Badger distribution and abundance. This may include collecting and analyzing road killed and trapped specimens as well as scat and hair samples (Action No. 3; High Priority); and
• Investigate the connectivity and genetic similarities between populations of American Badger to improve knowledge on barriers to movement and gene flow (Action No. 4).

Under the objective to identify and reduce or eliminate known human-related threats to American Badgers in Ontario, projects enabled through the Species at Risk Stewardship Fund have supported progress on one of the recovery actions listed, specifically:

• Investigate the cause of death for all samples found (Action No. 6).

Under the objective to increase public awareness of and appreciation for the American Badger and its ecological role in grassland and agricultural ecosystems, progress has been made towards all three recovery actions. These actions were implemented through projects supported by the Species at Risk Stewardship Fund and are:

• Develop outreach and monitoring materials for distribution to rural communities, farmers, trappers and aggregate sectors and conduct information workshops for stakeholder groups (Action No. 9);
• Co-operate with recovery initiatives that target grassland ecosystems and species at risk to share information and seek opportunities to build on existing activities (Action No. 10); and
• Maintain a badger hotline for the reporting of sightings by the public (Action No. 11).

For the Southwestern Ontario population, there has been an increase in the number of local populations of American Badger since 2008. The identification of these new local populations is likely the result of increased survey effort and education taking place within the species’ range. It is difficult to estimate the total number of American Badgers; however, results suggest that the population is fewer than 200 adults (COSEWIC 2012). The existence of the Northwestern Ontario population is thought to be the result of a series of colonization and extirpation events (COSEWIC 2012). A recent observation made in 2014, indicates that the species is still present.

Further information is needed to determine whether the American Badger is trending towards its goal to achieve a reproductively sustainable and secure population; however, the identification of nine new local populations within southwestern Ontario since 2008 is encouraging. Implementing monitoring and reporting protocols, which is identified as a government-supported action, and continuing to submit observations of American Badger to the Natural Heritage Information Centre will help track progress towards this goal.

Recommendations

As stated in the GRS, the review of progress towards protecting and recovering the American Badger can be used to help identify whether adjustments are needed to achieve the protection and recovery of the species. Based on progress to-date, the overall direction provided in the GRS for the American Badger should continue to guide protection and recovery actions for the species, particularly for those actions identified in the GRS as high priority. The following recommendation for the implementation of the GRS is suggested for moving forward with protection and recovery of the American Badger:

• Actions for which progress has been limited should be supported in future implementation planning, such as developing and implementing, where feasible, options to reduce road mortality and incidental trapping (Action No. 5); developing and implementing protocols for dealing with injured animals, reporting on injured or orphaned American Badgers and maintaining working relationships with wildlife rehabilitation centres (Action No. 7); and as opportunities arise, support the securement of habitat of American Badger through existing land securement and stewardship programs (Action No. 8).

Moving forward, protecting and recovering the American Badger will continue to be a shared responsibility that will require the involvement of many individuals, organizations and communities. Financial support for the implementation of actions may be available through the Species at Risk Stewardship Fund, Species at Risk Research Fund for Ontario or the Species at Risk Farm Incentive Program. The Ministry can also advise if any authorizations under the ESA or other legislation may be required to undertake a project. By working together, progress can continue to be made towards protecting and recovering the American Badger in Ontario.

Summary of progress toward the protection and recovery of the American Badger in Ontario (2007 to 2014)

Provincial status

• American Badger was classified as endangered under the Endangered Species Act, 2007 (ESA)when came into effect. The species was reassessed and split into two newly-listed populations, both with the status of endangered on March 31, 2015. American Badger has been protected from being killed, harmed, harassed, captured or taken since 2008, and its habitat has been protected from damage or destruction since 2010. Species and habitat protection continue to apply to both of the newly–listed populations.

Species-specific documents and guidance published by the government

• Recovery Strategy for the American Badger (Taxidea taxus) in Ontario (2010)
• American Badger: Ontario Government Response Statement (2010)
• American Badger Habitat Regulation (Ontario Regulation 242/08; 2010)

Government-supported stewardship projects

• Through the Species at Risk Stewardship Fund the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (“the Ministry”) has enabled its stewardship partners to conduct a total of 29 projects that have supported the protection and recovery of the American Badger. Four projects ($307,149) focused exclusively on American Badger, while the other 25 projects ($1,452,886) focused on multiple species at risk, including American Badger.
• The Ministry’s support helped its stewardship partners to involve 2,097 individuals who volunteered 27,029 hours of their time toward protection and recovery activities for multiple species at risk, including American Badger. The estimated value of these voluntary contributions and other in-kind support is $1,714,484.
• Stewardship partners reported providing outreach on multiple species at risk, including the American Badger to 141,715 individuals.
• Through the Species at Risk Research Fund for Ontario the Ministry has supported a total of five projects that address important monitoring gaps for the species.

Supporting human activities while ensuring appropriate support for species recovery

• The Ministry has issued four ‘protection and recovery permits’ under clause 17(2)(b) of the ESA.
• Seven activities have been registered for the purposes of Ontario Regulation 242/08 under the ESA for this species. Activities are registered under ‘Threats to health and safety, not imminent’ (section 23.18) and ‘Wind facilities’ (section 23.20).

Occurrences and distribution

• Two populations of American Badger occur in Ontario, one in the southwest and another in the northwest. American Badgers have been documented at 19 local populations within southwestern Ontario and establish sporadically in northwestern Ontario. Most recently, American Badgers have been observed in 2014 in northwestern Ontario and at nine new local populations in southwestern Ontario since 2008.

References and related information

• Categorizing and Protecting Habitat under the Endangered Species Act
• COSEWIC. 2012. COSEWIC assessment and status report on the American Badger Taxidea taxus in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. iv + 63 pp.
• Ethier, D.M., A. Laflèche, B.J. Swanson, J.J. Nocera., and C.J. Kyle. 2012. Population subdivision and peripheral isolation in American Badgers (Taxidea taxus) and implications for conservation planning in Canada. Canadian Journal of Zoology 90:630-639.
• Natural Heritage Information Centre
• Ontario’s Endangered Species Act
• Ontario’s Endangered Species Act Regulation 242/08
• Ontario Recovery Strategy and Government Response Statement for the American Badger
• Policy Guidance on Harm and Harass under the Endangered Species Act
• Species at Risk in Ontario List
• Species at Risk Stewardship Fund