Badgers not welcome on all farms

Monday, May 4, 2009

Danielle Ethier wants to know if a squat creature, the size of a raccoon, with a checkerboard-black-and-white face and (gulp!) two-inch-long front claws is in your neighbourhood. The question is whether you, as a farmer, are willing to tell her?

Ethier, a masters student at Trent University in Peterborough, says that as few as 200 American badgers remain in Ontario. Historical reports place them in Glencoe and even near Kincardine, but mostly their burrows are found in sandy soil areas of Norfolk, Brant and Haldimand.

Badgers are classified as an endangered species, and Ethier says landowners shouldn't be concerned that they won't be able to farm around the burrows if they are located.

Bryan Gilvesy, chair of the Norfolk County Alternative Land Use Services pilot project, recently planted some suitable habitat on his farm, but acknowledges not all farmers are as welcoming. Some may be shooting badgers rather than reporting them, he says.

"In general, the farm community is still very much afraid of there being a listed species found on their farm," adds the beef and specialty crop raiser. "A lot of that has to do with the uncertainties of what will happen" if an endangered animal or plant is found in their property.

Karen Bellamy, manager of Species At Risk, Ministry of Natural Resources, Peterborough, says the new provincial law protecting species is very different from the federal Species At Risk Act. She says if there is a badger on your property it is because you have good habitat. Concerns arise if you are going to change your farming activities and permits are available. BF