Photo trap captures rare marten fisher in Pennsylvania after a century

Asurveillance camera installed in a forest near Morrisville, Pennsylvania, USA, has captured unique photographs of an elusive predator, the silt frog, also known as the marten fisher. This species has not been observed in the region since the late 19th century.

The fisher marten is a large omnivorous mammal in the marten family. Despite its name, it rarely eats fish, preferring to hunt rabbits, squirrels, mice, shrews, birds, cats, and even wildlife.

In the late 1800s, marten fishers completely disappeared from Pennsylvania due to massive deforestation and uncontrolled hunting. However, in the early 1990s, conservationists reintroduced about 200 individuals of the species to the state.

According to scientists, Pennsylvania's marten-rumped marten population is gradually increasing, and new observations confirm the success of efforts to reintroduce the species. Photographs taken with the company's PixCams camera trap provide important evidence that these predators are actively reclaiming their historic habitat.

About the marten fisher

• Scientific name: Pekania pennanti
• Size: body length 75 to 120 cm, weight up to 6 kg
• Diet: small mammals, birds, insects, fruit
• Habitat: coniferous and mixed forests of North America