Fresno Bee reporter Mark Grossi captured all the pertinent facts about UC's Pacific fisher study in a 400-word article that appeared in today's paper. The story comes as researchers, environmentalists, and US Forest Service representatives from around the state converge in Fresno to review the latest research on the cute but ferocious cat-sized mammal.
For the story, Grossi spoke to USFS district ranger Dave Martin, environmentalist Craig Thomas and UC Berkeley biologist Rick Sweitzer.
Martin said the forest service wants to maintain quality fisher habitat but still reduce fire risk. Thomas said his group, the Sierra Forest Legacy, wants to be sure forest management decisions are based on science. Sweitzer said scientists will soon know whether the fisher population is going up or down.
The article also contained some trivia about the Pacific fisher in a side bar:
- Fishers can rotate their hind feet 180 degrees to run down tree trunks.
- Fishers are the sole predators of porcupines.
- Fishers don't eat fish.
The early results of UC's fisher research will be presented today at the UC Center in Fresno, 550 E. Shaw Ave., from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The meeting will be online live at https:/breeze.ucdavis.edu/snampfisherit2. Audio can be heard by calling (877) 221-1900, pass code 8962143.
More background about UC research on the Pacific fisher can be found here.