OLD ORCHARD BEACH — The Community Animal Watch group is warning residents that a fisher has been sighted in town.

Fern Park Avenue resident and Community Animal Watch member Peg Bayles said at Tuesday night’s Town Council meeting that a fisher cat has been reported to be living in the wooded area near The Ballpark.

According to the New Hampshire Fish and Game website, fishers are cousins to the weasel, mink, marten and otter; and have long, slender bodies with short legs. They prey on snowshoe hares, porcupines, squirrels and other small mammals. They travel widely in search of food and are active mostly at night, sunrise and sunset, according to the website.

“One of the main missions of animal watch is to ensure the safety and care of pets and animals in town,” said Bayles. She said fishers are known to travel in a radius of seven to 10 miles and members were concerned that area cats are in danger. She said she would like to see the animal trapped and moved to a more remote location.

A meeting will be held Thursday at 7 p.m. at the police station with licensed trapper Bruce Martin. All are welcome to attend.

“This fisher cat, by the way, is very bold,” said Bayles. The fisher, she said, walked past some neighbors of hers who were sitting outside by a camp fire.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 325 or [email protected].