Wildlife enthusiasts across Iowa are buzzing with excitement after the confirmed sighting of a fisher in Allamakee County—the first documented appearance in over 150 years.
This elusive member of the weasel family, once thought permanently vanished from Iowa’s landscape, was captured on a trail camera in a wooded area near the Mississippi River.
The unexpected return of this native predator has scientists and conservationists wondering if this marks the beginning of a natural recolonization of the species in the state.
What Is A Fisher?
Fishers are medium-sized forest-dwelling mammals belonging to the weasel family, with males weighing up to 12 pounds and females about half that size. Despite their name, these carnivores rarely catch fish, instead preferring prey like rabbits, squirrels, and even porcupines…