PROGRAM of WORK TO SUPPORT CONSERVATION MEASURES Introduction. Areas Presumed Devoid of Fisher in Oregon
1. Participate, coordinate, and collaborate with xxxxxx distribution surveys, including on-going distribution assessment efforts in the Cascade Range. Define the current distribution of xxxxxx in Oregon with quantitative data. This effort should be as intensive as possible and follow best available science on rigorous survey protocols. This effort is likely to last 3 – 5 years. • Currently there are several individual efforts from both public agency and private entities. Participate in workgroups focused on combining assessment data, transferring knowledge base, and securing funding for future collaborative efforts. Implement survey efforts in areas “to fill the gaps” of current distribution assessment. o Systematically sample feasibility of release areas (A through E; Xxxxxx 2015) and adjacent lands (public and private/Industry) o Employ an adaptive sampling approach where techniques are adjusted should xxxxxx be detected. These changes include expanding survey areas and including genetic sampling (e.g. hair snares deployed at camera stations) o Compile maps and create a repository for data and information collected and obtained by past and current xxxxxx survey efforts. These surveys and their findings could assist guiding future efforts. Numerous xxxxxx and forest carnivore surveys have been conducted by Industry, academic, non-governmental organization (NGO), State, and Federal researchers throughout western Oregon.
2. There is limited information and data on the current genetic background for Oregon fishers. Following or in conjunction with the intensive distribution survey effort, activities to collect and define genetic history of fishers is warranted. This effort is likely to occur within the timeframe as identified in the first plan attribute. In association with the intensive distribution assessment, as fishers are located in different geo-regions of Oregon, conduct genetic sampling to develop the baseline data. There is an opportunity during this effort to collect limited habitat use data.
3. Coordinate on monitoring of xxxxxx mortalities and submitting mortalities for toxicity testing.
4. In Oregon, few xxxxxx carcasses have been recovered and thus available for testing for the presence of anticoagulant rodenticides, limiting our understanding of the prevalence of this toxicant in Oregon fishers. Recovered carcasses should be submitted to a qualified lab for analysis and the results shared with manag...
