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Dorothy Copus Brush The fishers are back on the Plateau Fishermen and fisherwomen we have aplenty,
but Tennessee has gone without four-legged fishers for more than
100 years until several weeks ago, when 10 were released on the
Plateau. This little creature is no threat to the sport of human
fishers because it has no interest in fish as food. As are others
in the weasel family, it is a carnivore and feeds on hares, small
rodents, birds, carrion and fruit. It is slender in body and as much as 25 inches
in length, excluding the long, fluffy tail. A hollow log or hole
in a tree makes a perfect home. The fisher loves forests and
puts nimble squirrels to shame as it speeds through the treetops.
In March or April, the female gives birth to one to five little
ones after a gestation period of up to 358 days. During this
time, it takes the embryo 10 months before it is implanted and
an additional two months to develop. The female mates a week
or so after giving birth. That means the female fisher is pregnant
most of her life. Fishers are always welcome in wooded country
where porcupines hang out and do great damage to trees. The fisher
is an efficient predator in spite of the porcupine's quills.
Because the fisher's body almost hugs the ground, it can scoot
under the porcupine and attack the exposed underbelly with no
fear of the quills. In 1973, the eagle was still on the endangered
species list. That year, a young man, an entertainer and music
writer, saw his first bald eagle soaring in its natural habitat.
He was fishing from a boat in the Ocala National Forest in Florida. His fishing guide, a Seminole Native American,
asked if that wasn't a beautiful sight and then added he should
enjoy it because future generations would never see that magnificent
bird in the wild because it was an endangered species. James Rogers was the young man who experienced
that tranquil moment. He was so touched by the sight of the eagle
and so disturbed by the thought it might disappear forever, he
returned from fishing and wrote the song "Fly Eagle Fly"
that very night. The song was used to rally support for saving
the eagle. Now, 27 years later, our nation's symbol, the eagle
has survived and its numbers increase. As for James Rogers, his one-man show at Dollywood
fills the theater each time he appears. He continues spreading
the word about eagles, and his song is always included in his
presentations. When he wrote "Fly Eagle Fly," he was
thinking of a majestic bird. Little did he know what lay ahead
for his country in 2001, but the message is as appropriate for
Americans in today's troubled times as it was during the bad
times for eagles. Do not give up and even though times are
tough · · · |