'Fierce' Carnivore Documented in Iowa After 150-Year Absence

The fisher probably wandered over from Minnesota
By Michael Harthorne,  Newser Staff
Posted Feb 15, 2017 1:23 PM CST
Updated Feb 16, 2017 4:03 AM CST
'Fierce' Carnivore Documented in Iowa After 150-Year Absence
This is the first fisher documented in Iowa in around 150 years.   (Iowa Department of Natural Resources)

It's no Bigfoot sighting, but it'll do. KCCI reports a fisher has been documented in Iowa for the first time in 150 years. According to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, fishers are carnivores related to the weasel and otter and are "known for their fierceness." There have been some reports of them in Iowa over the years but no proof until one was caught on a trail camera last November in Allamakee County.

The Department of Natural Resources shared the image of Iowa's rare fisher on Tuesday. The department believes the animal may have wandered over from southeast Minnesota. It's unclear if fishers are on their way to permanently resettling in Iowa. The fisher has few natural predators besides humans, and the Department of Natural Resources warns that anyone who comes across one should keep their distance, WHO reports. (Meanwhile, the guy behind supposed Bigfoot footage says the famous clip nearly ruined him.)

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