In a remarkable event for wildlife enthusiasts, a creature not officially seen in the region for more than a century has been filmed in Ohio. A trail camera in Cleveland Metroparks has captured footage of a fisher, marking its first confirmed sighting in Cuyahoga County in over 100 years.
A Century-Long Absence Comes to an End
Park authorities confirmed that the medium-sized mammal, a relative of weasels, mink, and otters, was recorded on video earlier this year. This sighting is the first verified evidence of the species in the area since the 1800s. The fisher vanished from much of Ohio by the mid-19th century, driven out by extensive, unregulated trapping and the widespread loss of its forest habitat.
The released video shows the elusive animal moving through a wooded area within the park system, turning briefly to look directly at the camera. Officials from Cleveland Metroparks described the discovery as "tremendously exciting," noting it is another example of a native Ohio mammal species, once considered extirpated, being documented within their parks.
Signs of a Broader Recovery
This sighting is not an isolated incident but part of a hopeful trend. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources has confirmed more than 40 fisher sightings across northeastern Ohio, with the majority occurring within the last three years. These sightings span multiple counties, including:
- Ashtabula
- Geauga
- Trumbull
- Portage
- Lake
Wildlife experts attribute this comeback largely to successful reintroduction programmes in neighbouring states like Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The department has noted particularly encouraging signs, such as sightings of pregnant females, which indicate the species is beginning to re-establish a breeding population in the Buckeye State.
What the Return Means for Ohio's Ecosystems
Park officials have connected the fisher's return to broader conservation successes. "The return of fishers and other extirpated species like otters, bobcats, and trumpeter swans are a result of conservation efforts," they stated. This resurgence emphasises the critical importance of maintaining healthy forests, wetlands, and natural areas within the park system and beyond.
Fishers are elusive predators that play a specific role in the ecosystem, primarily hunting small mammals such as mice and squirrels. They require mature forest habitats with large tree canopies and often use tree cavities for dens.
The Ohio Division of Wildlife is encouraging residents who spot a fisher in the wild to report their observation. This public data is vital for biologists to track the species' ongoing recovery and understand how it is reclaiming its historic range across the state.
