14 DAY TRIAL // Fishers are considered to be a sensitive species, and have high chances of being listed as an endangered one in the not so distant future.
Scientists now say that, as surprising as it may sound, this species' long term survival is presently threatened by illegal marijuana farms.
Data collected in southern Sierra Nevada suggests that the local fisher population is currently being exposed to rat poison and pesticides used by illegal marijuana growers to keep their crop safe.
“In marijuana cultivation sites, regulations regarding proper use of pesticides are completely ignored and multiple compounds are used to target any and all threats to the crop, including compounds illegal in the U.S.,” wildlife biologist Dr. Kathryn Purcell said, as cited by Science Daily.
These poisons have previously been documented to accumulate in the animals' bodies. Once their concentrations pass a certain limit, the fishers risk dying.
The chemical compounds can either directly kill the animals, or simply leave them impaired and vulnerable to predators.