- 11 Ontario Badger Project, Trent University, 1600 W Bank Drive, Peterborough, Ontario K9J 0G2, Canada.
- 22 Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road E, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada.
- 33 Forensic Science Department, Trent University, 1600 W Bank Drive, Peterborough, Ontario K9J 0G2, Canada.
- 44
Science and Research Branch, Wildlife Research and Monitoring
Section, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, 1600 W Bank Drive,
Peterborough, Ontario K9J 0G2, Canada.
- 55 Animal Health Laboratory, University of Guelph, 419 Gordon Street, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada.
- 66 Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road E, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada.
Abstract
American
badgers ( Taxidea taxus jacksoni) at the periphery of the species'
range in Ontario, Canada, are listed as endangered because of an
estimated population size of <200 mature individuals. The main
threats faced by this population include habitat loss and road
mortality. However, on 18 November 2013, a radio-implanted badger was
found nonresponsive in an agricultural field with signs consistent with
canine distemper virus infection, which was subsequently confirmed. This
prompted our investigation into the occurrence of pathogens in this
endangered carnivore to better quantify the level of risk infectious
disease poses to population persistence. We examined serum samples from
nine live-trapped individuals and 27 whole badger specimens submitted
for postmortem examination. We found evidence of exposure to canine
distemper virus, canine parvovirus, and leptospires. However, infection
associated with disease was not the leading cause of mortality. Future
research into the effects of disease on kit survival and a comprehensive
understanding of disease severity and spread from reservoir populations
(e.g., raccoons
[ Procyon lotor ] and striped skunks [ Mephitis mephitis ]) to badgers
will be of particular importance to the conservation of this endangered
population.
KEYWORDS:
American badgers; canine adenovirus; canine distemper virus; canine parvovirus; leptospirosis; species at risk
