Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com

Published - Friday, July 25, 2008

Rare fisher kits on display at Minnesota Zoo

APPLE VALLEY, Minn. (AP) — Three rare fisher kits born at the Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley now are on display.

The animals, which resemble weasels, were nearly extinct because of trapping and logging practices but are now doing well in mixed wooded and heavily forested areas.

The kits — two males and one female — were born March 23. Fishers are known for tree-climbing, hunting and agility.

The Minnesota Zoo is one of just four nationally accredited zoos to exhibit fishers and the only one where offspring have been produced in the past three years.

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