Returning Fishers to Washington
June 13, 2017
Yes. They’re adorable.
Fishers are a native carnivore in the weasel family. They climb trees but prefer to hunt on the forest floor. They eat small rodents but also fruit and mushrooms (though ironically, not much fish). And by hunting and carrying seeds, they keep our ecosystem balanced.
But fishers also have incredibly soft, silky fur – and that’s been their greatest threat.
That’s where we – and you – come in.
We’re Bringing Fishers Back To Washington
Northwest Trek has partnered with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, the National Park Service and Conservation Northwest to reintroduce fishers to the North Cascades. We helped bring them back to the Olympic Peninsula in 2010 by caring for two orphaned fisher brothers until they could be released into the wild.
Now they’re thriving there.
From 2015 to 2017, 69 fishers from British Columbia – where trapping laws support a healthy population – were released into the South Cascades.
We Reached Our Goal!
Thanks to your generous donations, we surpassed our goal of $20,000 to help the Department of Fish and Wildlife as they prepare to bring fishers back to the North Cascades this fall.Together with the Northwest Trek Foundation and the Zoo Society’s Dr. Holly Reed Conservation Fund, the money will buy transmitters that will help biologists track the fishers to make sure they’re thriving.
With fishers back in the Cascades, we’re one step closer to having all of Washington state’s native carnivores living in the wild. They’ll keep other species in balance, and help forests grow.
Look for our adorable fishers in their exhibit!
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