Home / Environment / Ohio Welcomes Back Elusive Fisher After 200 Years
Ohio Welcomes Back Elusive Fisher After 200 Years
19 Dec
Summary
- A fisher was sighted near Cleveland, marking its first appearance in nearly 200 years.
- Conservation efforts in surrounding states have led to the fisher's return.
- Fishers are forest carnivores in the weasel family, not cats or fish-eaters.
For the first time in nearly two centuries, an elusive fisher has been confirmed near Cleveland, marking a significant moment for wildlife in Ohio. Captured on a trail camera within Cleveland Metroparks, this sighting represents the species' return to Cuyahoga County after an absence dating back to the 1800s. Wildlife officials expressed excitement, viewing this as a triumph for conservation efforts.
The return of fishers, along with other extirpated species like otters and bobcats, is a testament to the improving health of Ohio's natural habitats. These forest-dwelling carnivores, belonging to the weasel family and often misnamed 'fisher cats,' primarily consume rodents but also include fruits and nuts in their diet. Their reappearance is largely linked to successful reintroduction programs in Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
Ohio has documented over 40 fisher sightings in recent years, with a notable increase in the past three years. Evidence suggests these animals are establishing a permanent presence, with a pregnant fisher found in Ashtabula County and a large specimen documented near Kent. These developments underscore a positive trend in wildlife recovery across the region.
