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Fisher Cats Had Been Suburban Legend
POSTED: 2:30 pm EST November 9, 2005
UPDATED: 2:40 pm EST November 9, 2005
SANDWICH, Mass. -- Authorities finally have proof that fisher cats -- members of the weasel family -- are indeed habitating on Cape Cod.
The often-vicious animals mostly have been suburban legend, with people reporting sightings for nearly two years. But there were never any photos to prove their existence.
That was until Tuesday, when Sandwich police Officer Bruce Lawrence found a fisher cat that had been struck and killed by a car on Route 130 near the Massachusetts Military Reservation. The animal was 23 inches long, had a bushy tail and sharp teeth, and weighed 11 pounds.
Thomas French, of the state Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, told the Cape Cod Times that Lawrence's discovery was the first confirmation that fisher cats have made their way across the Cape Cod Canal. (See pictures, learn more on MassWildlife site.)
Fisher cats nearly died out in the 1800s after forests were cleared and they were hunted for fur. But reforestation allowed them to repopulate southern New England.
POSTED: 2:30 pm EST November 9, 2005
UPDATED: 2:40 pm EST November 9, 2005
SANDWICH, Mass. -- Authorities finally have proof that fisher cats -- members of the weasel family -- are indeed habitating on Cape Cod.
The often-vicious animals mostly have been suburban legend, with people reporting sightings for nearly two years. But there were never any photos to prove their existence.
That was until Tuesday, when Sandwich police Officer Bruce Lawrence found a fisher cat that had been struck and killed by a car on Route 130 near the Massachusetts Military Reservation. The animal was 23 inches long, had a bushy tail and sharp teeth, and weighed 11 pounds.
Thomas French, of the state Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, told the Cape Cod Times that Lawrence's discovery was the first confirmation that fisher cats have made their way across the Cape Cod Canal. (See pictures, learn more on MassWildlife site.)
Fisher cats nearly died out in the 1800s after forests were cleared and they were hunted for fur. But reforestation allowed them to repopulate southern New England.
Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.