Navy’s badger statue back to display in Virginia, but Wisconsin has grown attached – By Todd Richmond (The Associated Press) / January 30 2021
MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin badger statue that has served as a literal touchstone for so many Capitol building visitors that they’ve rubbed the finish off its nose could be headed to another den soon.
Navy officials want the statue they loaned to the state more than 30 years ago back to display at a museum in Norfolk. But Wisconsin historians aren’t letting it go without a fight.
The badger is synonymous with Wisconsin. It was selected as the state’s official animal because lead miners in the state’s early days were said to burrow into the ground like badgers. The University of Wisconsin-Madison’s athletic teams are known as the Badgers, the school’s mascot is a sassy badger named Bucky, and an image of a badger adorns the state flag.
Replicas of badgers can be found throughout the state Capitol. But the Badger and Shield statue holds a special place of honor outside the governor’s office.
