The fisher, a small, mink like creature belonging to the weasel family, first faced a threat to its population in the 1880’s due to fur trappers and logging. Now, it seems that the small animal has become threatened again; this time by illegal pot farming. Fishers used to roam freely throughout the dense forests of the Northwest, mainly concentrated in both Northern California and Southern Oregon. However, now it seems that their population numbers are in steady decline.

The reason for this decline comes from many of the illegal pot farms that lie deep within the fisher’s habitat. In order to protect their crops, farmers use heavy amounts of rat poison to keep pests away. However, many animals (such as the fisher) have been ingesting the poison as well. According to Jefferson Public Radio more than eighty percent of animals tested in the forested regions tested positive for rodenticide. As of now, the amount of deaths caused solely by the poison cannot be calculated, but the lack of fishers in their natural habitat gives ample reason for alarm.

The decision to place the fisher on the endangered species list is an attempt to fight back against population decline. The weasel like animal has proven to do well in managed forests, and the west coast is full of prime fisher habitat. While it is still hard to control the root of the problem, as many of the illegal farms are unknown to authorities, conservationists are hopeful that this is a step in the right direction.

Animal rights divisions have been fighting for the fisher’s protection for nearly twenty five years, and they hope this move will help save the species. However, the fight is just beginning. Placing the fisher on the endangered species list will also move the animal right into the middle of Oregon’s timber politics. Many animals before, such as the spotted owl, have become a big point of contention between conservationists and the lumber industry due to increased deforestation in the Northwest, and many think the fisher will be no different.