In late July, a mysterious dead animal was spotted on Route 441 in Walworth. A person saw the dead animal on Route 441 and thought it might be a mink or a large house cat.
The creature was actually a fisher cat, a species that is making a return to central and western New York.
Not a cat at all
While the species is often referred to as ‘fisher cats,’ a fisher is not a feline, but rather a member of the weasel family.
Fishers are known to hunt in places where squirrels, voles, mice, birds, rabbits, white-tailed deer and even porcupines are present.
They move well through underground tunnels and take down prey by sinking their teeth into the back of necks, according to Wayne Times.
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Fisher cats making a comeback in NY
Fishers help control rodent populations. To stem the population of porcupines, they have been reintroduced in some areas of the U.S.
The Wayne Times reports that fishers disappeared from the northeast during the 1930s and 40s due to a combination of habitat loss and overhunting.
Now, the fisher cat is making a comeback. One was even spotted in the busy New York City streets a few years back.
A special permit is required to hunt fishers. Head to the NYS DEC’s website for more information.
