Rare Weasels Released In North Cascades National Park

NEWHALEM, WA - Deep in the North Cascades on Wednesday, a group of biologists released six rare weasels into the Skagit River watershed. The fishers, or fisher cats, are part of a larger effort to reintroduce the critters in Washington after they were hunted out of existence in the mid-1900s.

The biologists trapped the fishers in Alberta, Canada, and fitted them with transmitters before releasing them. This week's six fishers - five females, one male - were among the 75 or so that have been released across the state since 2015.

Unlike black bears or deer, fishers might be somewhat of a mystery to Washingtonians. They have a reputation for preying on domesticated animals like cats, chickens, and rabbits. Out in the wild, they love squirrels, porcupines, and carrion, but also eat fruit. Males are much bigger than females, reaching a maximum of about 16 pounds and 3 feet long.

State wildlife officials have a goal of reintroducing about 80 fishers in the state. In 2015 and 2016, 23 fishers - 11 females, 12 males - were released in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Forty-six more were let loose near Mount Rainier in 2016 and 2017.

The state also has a program where private land owners can offer their land as fisher conservation habitat. In exchange, landowners get a pass on land-use restrictions should the fisher be listed as an endangered species in the future. The state has enrolled about 3 million acres of private land.

"Fishers know no borders and it is only we when work together without divisions that we can truly make a difference for species at risk around the world," said Calgary Zoo CEO Dr. Clément Lanthier. The zoo helped Washington biologists examine the state's newest fishers.

Learn more about the state fisher rehab program here.

Photo courtesy Massachusetts Division of Wildlife and Fisheries