Why Did the Badger Cross the Road?

Badgers need to move, but roads can be deadly. Road mortality is the main threat to badgers in British Columbia and given that Highway 93/95 bisects the Columbia Lake Ecological Corridor, vulnerable badgers are at risk when crossing this busy highway.

The hopeful part of the story is that badgers will use culverts as underpasses when they are open and accessible. Kootenay Connect has sponsored work to check that culverts remain usable by badgers and other species, and the BC government is working to install more culverts at construction sites when opportunities arise. Maintaining existing crossing structures and adding new ones is identified as essential for the recovery of this species at risk.

The main threat to badgers in British Columbia is road mortality. An effective ecological corridor requires individual animals to be able to safely cross roads and, for badgers, this has been a serious problem.

Work in the Upper Columbia Valley is documenting opportunities for badgers to safely pass under the often busy Highway 93/95 that bisects the Columbia Lake Ecological Corridor.

Following successful reintroduction to the Upper Columbia in 2000s, badgers are again particularly active in the grasslands and open forests on the west side of Columbia Lake. However, males in particular have large home ranges and likely cross the highway frequently, leaving them at risk of being killed by vehicles. Badger road mortality (stars on map) is high throughout the Upper Columbia Valley. Although most mortality occurs on Highway 93/95, badgers are at risk on all roads.

Luckily, badgers do not hesitate to make use of road underpasses, including culverts, provided they are kept open. Kootenay Connect has sponsored recent work in the area to check that culverts remain usable by badgers and other species by having entrances clear of debris. Wildlife cameras “caught” a badger (see photo) in one culvert near Columbia Lake in June 2025.

While many culverts are in place along highway in the Columbia Lake Corridor, more are always welcome. BC government is working to install more culverts at construction sites when opportunities arise.

Maintaining existing crossing structures and installing new ones wherever possible is considered an essential action for the recovery of this species at risk.

Why do badgers cross roads? Mostly to find food and /or mates. We can help them do it safely!