furbearer

American  

[fur-bair-er] / ˈfɜrˌbɛər ər /

Or fur-bearer

noun

1. any furry animal, especially one whose fur is of commercial value.

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Other Word Forms

• furbearing adjective

Etymology

Origin of furbearer

First recorded in 1905–10; fur + bearer

Example Sentences

Jay Butfiloski, the furbearer and alligator program coordinator with the state’s Natural Resources Department, could not be reached on Tuesday.

From New York Times • Jul. 4, 2023

Historically, trapping has brought many furbearer species, such as the American beaver, to the brink of extinction.

From Washington Post • Apr. 7, 2023

The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife supports the town’s plan to eliminate the coyotes, said Dave Wattles, the black bear and furbearer project leader with the division.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 15, 2022

In the 2018-2019 season, licensed trappers killed more than 647,000 raccoons, according to data from the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, making them the most-trapped species of furbearer in the U.S.

From Salon • Jan. 12, 2022

“We’re starting to see animals like the black bear on a regular basis,” said Vince Evelsizer, a furbearer biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

From Washington Times • Apr. 21, 2018