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1 September 2006 DENSITY OF FISHERS IN THE SUB-BOREAL SPRUCE BIOGEOCLIMATIC ZONE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
Richard D. Weir, Fraser B. Corbould
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Abstract

Information on fisher (Martes pennanti) densities is needed for the management and conservation of this mid-sized carnivore in British Columbia. To address this knowledge gap, we estimated the density of fishers in an industrial forest in north-central British Columbia between 1996 and 2000 using a minimum number alive estimate derived from live-trapping and radio-telemetry data. Density estimates averaged (± s) 11.2 ± 2.1 fishers/1000 km2 (n = 4 capture sessions) on 31 October and 8.8 ± 1.1 fishers/1000 km2 (n = 4 capture sessions) on 31 March. In comparison, the densities of fisher populations in eastern regions of North America were documented to be 6 to 49 times higher than our estimate for north-central British Columbia. The density of fishers in north-central British Columbia may be lower due to larger home range sizes and more widely dispersed individuals than elsewhere. Low-density fisher populations, such as in our study area, will require more conservative management strategies by trappers and wildlife agencies to ensure population persistence in these areas.

Richard D. Weir and Fraser B. Corbould "DENSITY OF FISHERS IN THE SUB-BOREAL SPRUCE BIOGEOCLIMATIC ZONE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA," Northwestern Naturalist 87(2), 118-127, (1 September 2006). https://doi.org/10.1898/1051-1733(2006)87[118:DOFITS]2.0.CO;2
Accepted: 1 December 2005; Published: 1 September 2006
KEYWORDS
British Columbia
density
fishers
inventory
live-trapping
Martes pennanti
radio-telemetry
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