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Legal protection

The American badger is classed as a "furbearer" in most of the US states in which it occurs. As a furbearer, the badger can generally only be hunted and trapped during a defined hunting season. The dates of the hunting season vary from state to state, but the season usually starts some time in November and runs until the end of February. In most if not all states, there are no limits on the numbers which may be taken during the hunting season [w055].

Badger numbers are lower in the Canadian provinces in which the species occurs, and in British Columbia hunting of the species was banned in 1967.

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Habitat protection

American badgers occur in the following protected areas:

Canada

• Alberta - Buffalo Jump National Park.
• Manitoba - Riding Mountain National Park.
• Saskatchewan - Prince Albert National Park, Grasslands National Park.

USA

• Arizona - Saguaro National Park, Petrified Forest National Park.
• California - Joshua Tree National Park, Death Valley National Park, King's Canyon National Park, Sequoia National Park.
• Colorado - Mesa Verde National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, Gunnison National Park.
• Idaho - Craters of the Moon National Monument.
• Montana - Glacier National Park.
• North Dakota - Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
• South Dakota - Badlands National Park.
• Utah - Bryce Canyon National Park.
• Wyoming - Yellowstone National Park (parts in Montana and Idaho).

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Research and conservation work

It appears that very little in the way of surveys, studies or practical conservation action is being undertaken on behalf of this species, except in British Columbia, Canada.

As noted above, hunting of badgers in British Columbia was banned in 1967. However there was no evidence of an increase in badger numbers over the following years. A review of the badger's status in British Columbia was therefore undertaken, and this concluded that the badger was at risk, and in need of conservation action. As a result of this, the species was placed on the British Columbia Environment Blue List in 1993, and increased attention has been given to research and conservation activities. [b012, w053]

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Welfare

A number of animal welfare and rescue centres have taken in and treated injured American badgers.

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Picture credits

The American badger photo used at the head of this Article is a public domain image provided by the US Fish & Wildlife Service; photographer Gary Stolz. Credits for the photos used in the right-hand margin of this page for site navigation can be found on the Credits page.

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