DENSITY OF FISHERS IN THE SUB-BOREAL SPRUCE BIOGEOCLIMATIC ZONE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA

Abstract

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 trapp...