RECENT UPDATES

NEW PUBLICATION: 
​"Fisher activity patterns show potential for behavioral adaptations to human modified landscapes."

We focused on two distinct research objectives to understand the 1) physiological constraints, and 2) ecological components of fisher activity in a highly disturbed landscape with a relatively mild climate. From accelerometer data collected fro 34 individuals, we found that not only were fisher activity patterns influenced by diel cycle, but they were also impacted by the amount of roads within a fisher's home range. Check out our new publication in Global Ecology and Conservation!

Fig. 6. Predicted mean dynamic body acceleration (ODBA) and 95 % bootstrapped (n = 100) confidence intervals (shaded areas) from the ecological model for fisher as a function of time of day, season, and road density within a home range.

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NEW PUBLICATION: 
"Mesocarnivore sensitivity to natural and anthropogenic disturbance leads to declines in occurrence and concern for species persistence"

After a 4-year intensive camera trapping survey of the state of Rhode Island, we found variation in local mesocarnivore (fisher, bobcat, coyote, gray fox, and red fox) sensitivity to landscape disturbance. We found evidence that fisher and gray fox populations are in decline while coyote, bobcat and red fox appear to be stable/stabilizing. Check out our new publication in Ecology and Evolution!

​Fig. 5 - Maps of predicted mesocarnivore occurrence across the study area in summer and winter for the first and last years of the study (green and blue panels, respectively). Gray panel maps represent the winter and summer predicted stable state occurrence (φeq).

The Rhode Island Fisher Study

The Rhode Island Fisher Study (RIFS, 2020-2024) is a collaboration between the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and the University of Rhode Island. Our partners at RIDEM put together this amazing video of our work to help local RI students learn about the project and about fishers. Click the link below to see some videos of our newest recruits.

Check out our Rhode Island fishers!

COLLARED FISHER SIGHTING REPORT LINE

Have you seen a fisher in RI, or near the RI border in CT or MA with a collar on? 
​Or FOUND a COLLAR??

Please click below to report your sighting!

Report a Collared Fisher

Contact Me

​Please feel free to email me, or follow my updates on any of my other pages below.

American Mink (Neovison vison) swimming in the Clarion River in Cook Forest State Park, PA

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