Historical perspective on the reintroduction of the fisher and American marten in Michigan and Wisconsin

Abstract

Management of mustelid species such as fishers and martens requires an understanding of the history of local populations. This is particularly true in areas where populations were extirpated and restored through reintroduction efforts. During the late 19th and 20th centuries, fishers (Martes pennanti) and American martens (Martes americana) were extirpated from much of their southern range, including Michigan and Wisconsin. Both species have been restored to varying degrees in these states following multiple reintroductions and translocations. We describe the status of the original populations and changes in their status over time, and include source locations, release sites, release and reintroduction dates, and demographic characteristics of released animals. This synthesis is crucial for evaluating the relative success of reintroductions in Michigan and Wisconsin, and, combined with knowledge of the current condition of these populations, can provide valuable guidance on the future management of these species. We also assess the reintroduction of fishers and martens in Michigan and Wisconsin and discuss strategies for successful reintroductions.

Resting Site Characteristics of American Marten in the Northern Lower Peninsula of Michigan

“…They range from Alaska to Newfoundland and from Oregon to Maine (Williams et al 2007). The presence of marten in forest landscapes is used as an indicator of good quality habitat that is comprised of complex forest structure and composition (Buskirk and Powell, 1994;Buskirk and Ruggiero, 1994).…”

“…These extirpations most likely occurred due to synergistic effects of over harvesting and habitat loss resulting from land clearing, logging practices, and forest fires caused by timber slash (Earle et al 2001;Williams et al 2007). During the latter part of the 20th century, logging practices shifted to a more conservative sustained-yield 3 approach (i.e., silviculture methods), which resulted in the conversion of more suitable marten habitat (Earle et al 2001 Williams et al 2007). All 85 marten were live trapped and translocated from the Crown Chapleau Game Preserve in Ontario, Canada (Williams et al 2007).…”

“…During the latter part of the 20th century, logging practices shifted to a more conservative sustained-yield 3 approach (i.e., silviculture methods), which resulted in the conversion of more suitable marten habitat (Earle et al 2001 Williams et al 2007). All 85 marten were live trapped and translocated from the Crown Chapleau Game Preserve in Ontario, Canada (Williams et al 2007). …”

Effects of multiple founder populations on spatial genetic structure of reintroduced American martens

“…Restoration efforts for American martens ( Martes americana ) in the Upper Peninsula (UP) of Michigan, USA, provided an unique opportunity to examine the effects of multiple reintroductions into an area from which the species was formerly extirpated. Detailed stocking records are available that include source, numbers, sex ratios, and locations of individuals released (Williams et al. 2007).…”

“…Secondly, we wanted to determine distances of effective gene flow within reintroduced populations in different regions of the UP to gain additional insight into processes of post‐introduction colonization. Interpretation of spatial genetic data was made possible due to detailed knowledge of introduction history (Williams et al. 2007) and of known genetic characteristics of source populations.…”