This isn't a complaint to the NPS, but more of a suggestion. Ever since the elk reintroduction in Cataloochee Valley, the park hasn't had any intentions to reintroduce new species. With about half a dozen mammals still absent from their historical range. Mammals such as the red wolf may be harder to reintroduce because of the small number of prey but should be considered when elk populations increase. The fisher is the perfect candidate for introduction, because of its smaller size and large prey base of small mammals and birds.
The fisher is a member of the Marten family, mainly carnivorous and rarely exceeding 20 pounds. A thriving species in the smokies until European settlers killed them off for their fur. Overtime other species that met the same fate such as otters and beavers have been reintroduced, yet the fisher hasn't. Fishers will create healthier ecosystems by keeping populations of rabbits, squirrels, groundhogs, and turkey from overpopulating. Another important prey species which lived in the park was the snowshoe hare, gone now, also an important species for reintroduction. Looking at the appalachian cottontails in the park, it shows that this high elevated mountain habitat is perfect for snowshoes.
The fisher is a keystone species. Overtime it also may hunt juvenile boar, decreasing the population. Another invasive species that may be impacted by the reintroduction of the fisher is the coyote. With competition of the same resources, coyotes can lose their dominant carnivorous stance. Lower populations of coyotes will make the red wolf reintroduction more possible in the future.
There aren't this many large expanses of wilderness left in the east. Reintroducing species will improve these rare ecosystems. At the moment small and easy introductions of fishers and hares will create larger biodiversity and add more species of wildlife for park enthusiasts to observe(potentially raising the park economy). This reintroduction isn't as expensive as the elk or wolf. Seeing the wonderful achievements with elk being back in the park, tourism has only gone up. Why can't the same be done for the fisher?
