Monday, February 01, 2010

Badger Ambassador

Badger posts always generate a lot of interest on this blog, so I thought I'd share this unusual photo of a badger on a leash.

No, it's not a pet, but a rescued badger at the High Desert Museum near Bend, Oregon.

Badgers are common in sagebrush country, but can be difficult to find. I recently hosted a naturalist trying to see all the world's mammals who came to Idaho to try to see a wild American badger. He has seen pandas and clouded leopards and all manner of rare and elusive animals, but no American badger. He finally found one at the Snake River Birds of Prey Conservation Area--but it took a lot of patience, careful searching and spotlighting.

Idaho has the highest density of badgers on earth. Still, most kids won't see one unless they're lucky. The badger at the High Desert Museum offers an up-close look at this cool mammal. Hopefully it can instill curiosity and interest in badgers, and their sagebrush home.

Watch a video about the museum's badger.

2 comments:

Birding is Fun! said...

I had no idea that badgers were more numerous in Idaho than any place in the world. Tough break for Wisconsin!

Badgers are pretty cool. I see them in the foothills and out in the Snake River Birds of Prey area, especially going toward Swan Falls. My kids and I, along with Grandpa saw more than a dozen in one afternoon.

Alan Gregory, Lt. Col., USAF, Ret. said...

I recall a col encounter with a badger while hiking up alongside a central Idaho trout stream in the late 60s or early 70s. Came around a bend in the trail and was face to face with a snarling badger.