The Pennsylvania Game Commission is asking trappers to submit their fisher and bobcat carcasses for a study examining the prevalence of rat poison and a coronavirus strain in the species.
The project will also detect the presence of canine distemper virus and provide age and reproductive data for management purposes. The agency hopes to collect 10 fisher and 10 bobcat carcasses in those Wildlife Management Units where a hunting and/or trapping season exists, plus roadkills from other units, for a total of 150 carcasses of each species.
Aaron Facka, PGC furbearer specialist, said there are indications that SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) has turned up in mink farms in other countries – and a wild mink recently in Utah – and transmission to humans is possible.
“This study would provide a preliminary look at this,” Facka said. “We’re not really concerned about it right now, but we are concerned it might happen at some point and want to start monitoring it now.”
The presence of anti-coagulant rodenticide, commonly referred to as rat poison, has turned up in fishers in other states, such as California where secondary exposure has been studied.
Fishers become exposed to an anti-coagulant after ingesting a dead rat or mouse that has been poisoned, and Facka said a California study determined that 50-60% of all fisher carcasses examined had some level of rodenticide. The PGC will collaborate with other states on the rodenticide portion of the study.
“It’s a little bit of a concern. We want to know how much of this is present in the environment,” Facka said. “It’s also hard to tell how much it takes to kill an individual animal. Some tolerate it more, some less.”
Kevin Wenner, PGC biologist for the Northeast Region, said he has yet to document the presence of rodenticide in furbearers in Pennsylvania, but it’s an issue in California due to the hemp industry.
“Where hemp is raised in California, they place heavy amounts of rodenticide around the operations and fishers are being impacted,” he said.
Canine distemper is already present in furbearer populations in the state, and Facka said there’s evidence it’s impacting gray fox in addition to raccoons and other species. Since fisher and bobcat carcasses are already being collected, he said it makes sense to check for distemper as well.
Bobcat hunting season in select WMUS is from Jan. 9-Feb. 3, 2021, and trapping season for the felines is Dec.19-Jan. 10, 2021. Fisher trapping season runs from Dec. 19-Jan. 3, 2021, in specific WMUs.
Successful hunters and trappers interested in donating a carcass and still skin the animal and retain the pelt. The study does require carcasses with intact organs, skulls, teeth and reproductive tract. Facka said hunters and trappers with a carcass to donate can call him directly (717-710-8911, afacka@pa.gov) and arrangements will be made with the nearest regional office to pick it up.
Results of the coronavirus and rodenticide portions of the study will start to come back next month, Facka added, while age and reproductive data won’t be known until the summer. The study is scheduled to run for two years or until 150 carcasses of each species is collected.
The game commission is working with the PA Trappers Association to get the word out to hunters and trappers, and Facka said the feedback so far has been strong.
“I’m optimistic we’ll reach our goal in most units and a lot of people are interested in this just for the age data of their animal,” he said. “I’d like to get a broad representation from a good portion of the state, and a lot of trappers have already informed us they’ll donate any carcasses they obtain this season.”
- Photo credit: Pennsylvania Game Commission
