PORT ANGELES, Wash. -- Two young weasle-like mammals are rustling through the Olympic National Park Friday, no doubt in search of a meal.
They are fishers and their favorites include rabbit and even porcupine, but this will the first night the two have searched for their own meals since being rescued five months ago from a den atop a tree. The fishers were small kits when they were orphaned by a hungry bobcat that attacked their mother.
Department of Natural Resources biologist Scott Horton climbed the tree to rescue them and took them to Northwest Trek Wildlife Park where veterinarians spent weeks helping them learn to hunt and get bigger and stronger. And on Friday, after passing their final physicals with flying colors, they were released in the park.
They are among the first kits born in the wild from a group of several fishers released over time in the Olympic National Park since 2007. So far the population is holding its own. Experts say two young males returning to the woods can only help improve the odds.
To add a comment, please register or login.