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Highway mortality has been shown to be the most significant source of loss in badger populations in the Thompson Valley. In this area, almost half of the radio-tagged badgers monitored in a recent study died while trying to cross highways or railways; 46% (6 of 13) badgers radio-tagged from 1999-2002 were killed on highways (Weir et al. 2003). An additional 13 untagged badgers were reported road-killed during this period and numerous reports of narrow escapes also exist. Highway mortalities do not appear to be age related; both adults and young have been killed (Weir and Hoodicoff 2002). Considering that the population of badgers in this region is estimated to be between 30 and 50 animals, this source of mortality likely has severe implications for population persistence. In fact, the National Recovery Strategy for the North American Badger, jeffersonii subspecies has listed “reducing highway mortality”, as a primary short-term recovery objective. For more information on why badgers are at such high risk for roadkill and what is being done to help reduce this mortality source, please follow the sidebar links. |
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Badgers
and highways just don't seem to mix.