OHIO — A rarely seen animal has recently been spotted in Northeast Ohio, according to state wildlife officials.
The Ohio Division of Wildlife reported two confirmed sightings of American badgers captured on trail cameras in Ashland County and Sandusky County.
Badgers are nocturnal and solitary animals that spend much of their time underground. Wildlife officials said the burrowing predators are capable of quickly hiding themselves when startled, making them difficult to observe in the wild.
“Because of these traits, it is difficult to get an accurate estimation of population size,” the Ohio Division of Wildlife said in a statement. Officials noted that sightings of badgers in Ohio are considered very rare.
State biologists rely on reports from the public, including trail camera images and citizen sightings, to help monitor badgers and other wildlife species across Ohio. Residents who believe they have spotted unusual wildlife are encouraged to report sightings to state officials to assist with tracking efforts.
