Public News Service

There are only 76 killer whales left in the Northwest's iconic Southern Resident population. (NOAA/Wikimedia Commons)

Governor-Led Orca Recovery Effort to Hold First Meeting

OLYMPIA, Wash. – An orca conservation team convened by Gov. Jay Inslee is holding its first meeting on Tuesday. The Southern Resident Killer …

Despite recent recalls, a Washington state veterinarian says pet food is the safest thing owners can feed their pets. (eminens/Pixabay)

Vet's Advice: Don't Panic Over Pet Food Recalls

SEATTLE – Pet owners in the Evergreen State have been given two scares in the past few weeks over contaminated pet food. The U.S. Food and …

A federal judge will allow $37 million to be spent to improve the Ice Harbor Dam, but the Corps of Engineers will have to give advance notice of future investments. (salmonrecovery/Flickr)

Judge Orders More Water Over Dams to Help NW Salmon

SEATTLE – A federal judge has ordered more water be released from dams on the lower Columbia and Snake rivers to improve survival chances for en…

Researchers and others believe breaching the four Lower Snake River dams could give Puget Sound orcas more fish to feed on. (Seabamirum/Flickr)

Could Breaching Lower Snake River Dams Help Orcas?

SPOKANE, Wash. – As the public weighs in today in Spokane on the future of the Lower Snake River dams, researchers are calling for their …

There are about 90 gray wolves in Washington state. (Hilary Cooley/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

Report: Killing Wash. Wolves May Not Protect Livestock

SEATTLE — There is little evidence that killing predators such as wolves, coyotes and bears actually protects livestock according to a new …

There are about 7,500 marbled murrelets left in Washington state. (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

Marbled Murrelets Get Guarantees on Protected Critical Habitat

SEATTLE - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has confirmed 1.6 million acres of mostly federal land in Washington are critical habitat for the …

A federal appeals court has ruled that Washington state must repair culverts blocking salmon from swimming to upstream habitats. (Matthew_Hull/morguefile)

WA State Tribes Win in Court on Salmon Habitats

SEATTLE – Native American tribes in Washington state received a victory Monday from a federal appeals court that ruled the state must pay to fix…

The Southern Resident orca population is making its way to the inland waters of western Washington. (Robert Pittman/NOAA)

Awareness Month for Orcas as They Return to Washington's Waters

SEATTLE – June is Orca Awareness Month, the time of year when killer whales return to the inland waters of western Washington. The endangered …

The Dog Aging Project is recruiting dogs in middle age to participate in the study of a drug that could extend the pets' lives. (pixabay)

UW Researchers Test Drug to Lengthen Dogs' Lives

SEATTLE - Researchers from the University of Washington are studying a drug that could extend the lives of dogs and one day, maybe even humans…

The spotted frog's critical habitat includes parts of Klickitat, Skagit, Skamania, Thurston and Whatcom counties in Washington. (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

Spotted Frog Gets Protected Habitat in Washington State

SEATTLE - More than 65,000 acres and 20 miles of river in Washington and Oregon have been protected as critical habitat for the Oregon spotted frog…

Pacific Fisher are being threatened by logging and illegal marijuana grows, according to the Center for Biological Diversity. (USFS Region 5 Reg/ U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Pacific Southwest Region)

As Wolverine Gets a Second Chance, No Endangered Listing for Pacific Fisher

SEATTLE - As Earth Day approaches, two West Coast members of the weasel family may be heading in different directions when it comes to protection as …

White-nose syndrome has killed nearly 7 million bats since it was discovered in New York in 2006. (Terry Derting/Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Services)

Still Hope for West Coast Bats After Discovery of Disease

SEATTLE - The first reported case of white-nose syndrome in a West Coast bat was confirmed in North Bend, Washington, last week by wildlife health …

Organically-raised cattle produce meat with more omega-3 fatty acids, a compound linked to lowered risks of cardiovascular disease. (wiselywoven/morguefile)

Study: Organic Meat Puts More Nutrition on Your Plate

SEATTLE - Researchers who analyzed multiple studies from around the world have concluded organic production of dairy products and meat provides more …

Gov. Jay Inslee has reversed a decision by the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission to increase cougar hunting quotas in areas inhabited by wolves. Credit: Wikimedia Commons.

Governor Rejects Increased Cougar Hunting Quotas

OLYMPIA, Wash. - Cougar hunting quotas are not going up. Gov. Jay Inslee has overturned a state wildlife panel's decision to increase the percentage …

Local residents look on as Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife biologists outfit a sedated cougar with a GPS collar for their long-term research. Credit: Bill Hebner

More Cougars Fair Game? Groups Protest WA Hunting Quota

OLYMPIA, Wash. - Gov. Jay Inslee is being asked to intervene in a dispute between the state Fish and Wildlife Commission and eight groups advocating …

More than 200 cougars a year are killed by hunters in Washington. Animal rights' organizations are asking the state Fish and Wildlife Commission to change its recent decision to increase the cougar quota in some hunting units. Credit: Wikimedia Commons.

Animal Rights Groups Challenge Washington Cougar Hunt Quota

SEATTLE – The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission is being asked to rethink its decision to allow more cougars to be killed during hunting s…

PHOTO: Cats such as Jinx can be fun companions. Shelters around the state are looking not only for permanent homes for cats and kittens, but for foster parents willing to provide temporary care. Photo credit: Chris Thomas

WA Shelters in Need of "Cat Parents," Full- and Part-time

LYNNWOOD, Wa. - Cat lovers will tell you if you've never had a cat in your life, you don't know what you're missing - but this month, you can find …

PHOTO: The Washington State Department of Agriculture says the avian influenza outbreaks it has found so far have been concentrated in flocks where wild birds and domesticated chickens mingle. Photo credit: kromeshnik/FeaturePics.com.

More Avian Influenza Quarantines in WA

OROVILLE, Wash. - It's the fourth quarantine in a month, and the second in Okanogan County, as state agriculture officials try to control the spread …

PHOTO: A so-called ag-gag law that's being challenged in Idaho and Utah has been introduced as legislation in Washington. It prohibits people from audio or video taping in agricultural production facilities without the owner's written permission. Photo credit: derausdo/FeaturePics.com

"Ag-Gag" Bill Gets First WA Hearing

OLYMPIA, Wash. – There's keen interest among farm workers groups and animal rights advocates in Washington in a so-called ag-gag bill …

PHOTO: It looks deee-licious! But ornaments, tinsel, chocolates and even some plants common in homes during the holidays are dangerous for pets. Take a few precautions to keep the cats and dogs in your household safe. Photo credit: Chris Thomas

Looking Out for Furry Family Members at Holiday Time

SEATTLE - With all the food and festivities, keeping pets safe during the holidays can be a challenge. But furry family members will be just fine …

PHOTO: Halloween wraps up National Bat Week. The Townsend's big-eared bat is one of 15 species that live in Washington, and almost all are suffering population loss. Photo courtesy of BLM.

Washington's Bats are "Rock Stars"

SEATTLE - Bats are one of the stars for Halloween celebrations tonight, and part of this week's "National Bat Week" observance is bat myth-busting …

PHOTO: This tiny sturgeon fry could grow up to be 5 to 6 feet in length, and can live for 70 years or more. This weekend's Columbia River Sturgeon Festival in Vancouver, Wash. pays tribute to this prehistoric fish species. Photo courtesy Wash. Dept. of Fish and Wildlife.

Celebrating the Iconic Northwest ... Sturgeon?

VANCOUVER, Wash. – Salmon get the lion's share of attention in the Pacific Northwest, but a festival this weekend in Vancouver calls attention …

PHOTO: They may be fierce, but are they tough enough to survive climate change? The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has withdrawn its proposal to classify the wolverine as

Feds to Wolverines: "You're On Your Own"

SEATTLE - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has decided wolverines should not be classified as "threatened" under the Endangered Species Act (ESA)…

PHOTO: Today is the last chance for public comments on the release of

Last Day for Public Comments to “Free Lolita”

SEATTLE – A former Washington orca now living in Florida might have a chance to return to her native waters. Lolita has been performing …

PHOTO: If a cat or a dog is on your child's list for Santa this year, experts say the decision needs to be well thought out and should ideally involve the whole family. Photo credit: Mona Shand.

A Pet for Christmas is a Pet for Life

SEATTLE - Waking up to find a puppy or a kitten under the tree on Christmas morning might be a child's dream, but experts caution parents to think …

PHOTO: This Halloween, the most important part of your pet's

No Tricks or Treats for Pets this Halloween

SEATTLE - It can be a fun-filled night for kids of all ages, but unless pet owners take precautions, Halloween could pose serious risks for four-…

PHOTO: The new documentary Blackfish is about Tilikum, the orca responsible for three deaths while in captivity. Courtesy of Magnolia Pictures.

Blackfish: A Different Take on Iconic Orcas

SEATTLE – Should killer whales be kept in captivity and made to perform tricks for humans? That's a question raised in the new documentary "Blac…

PHOTO: If you buy a puppy online, is it from a reputable breeder or a puppy mill? The International Fund for Animal Welfare found 62 percent of the online ads it examined on a single day were

Report: Reasons to Howl about Buying Dogs Online

SEATTLE, Wash. - On a single day on the Internet, more than 700,000 dogs are for sale. The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) says that's …

"Pocket Pets" Come with Special Needs

SEATTLE - Is it enough nowadays to have a dog or cat when you could have a sugar glider, chinchilla or ferret? More people are choosing exotic …

WA Pet Food Pantries Doing Booming Business

TACOMA, Wash. - Food banks around the state have been busier than ever this year, and one of the needs that is often overlooked at donation time is …

WA Reaches Beyond "Meatless Mondays" for Vegetarian Diners

SEATTLE - While restaurants in some parts of the nation are just starting to add meatless meals to their menus one day a week for a "Meatless Monday" …

Rescued Research Beagles Get New "Leash" on Life

Nine beagles who have spent their lives in cages in a research lab got their first taste of freedom when they were rescued Wednesday by animal-rights …

"People Doctors" Aren't the Only Kinds Needed in Rural WA

OLYMPIA, Wash. - Rural areas of Washington need more doctors, but an equally critical issue that has received far less attention is their need for …

PBS to Air Made-in-Northwest Documentary

SEATTLE - The Columbia River plays a starring role in a PBS documentary set to air this Sunday. "Salmon, Running the Gauntlet" depicts what a fish …

Bunny Love? "Pet Project" Can Backfire for WA Families

REDMOND, Wash. - They're cute, they're cuddly - and they're not the best choice for a pet for young children. Baby rabbits are almost irresistible at …

Tossing Washington's Wild Birds a Winter Lifeline

SEATTLE - When the weather turns cold, wild bird populations in the Northwest have to work hard to find enough food to survive. Washingtonians can …

Study: Wolves Continue to Get "Bad Press"

SEATTLE - Wolves are the subject of more negative press than positive, according to a research team at Ohio State University that examined articles …

CDC’s "Get Smart Week" Aims to Outsmart Bacteria

PULLMAN, Wash. - Americans use too many antibiotics to treat both humans and farm animals, according to the Centers for Disease Control and …

“The Greatest Migration” Gives WA New View of Endangered Salmon

SEATTLE - You don't have to live along the Columbia or Snake Rivers to know some species of native Northwest salmon are endangered. Still, you may …

Navy Sonar: A Whale of a Problem for N.W. Marine Life

GREENBANK, Wash. - Underwater is usually a quiet place, but when the U.S. Navy is doing submarine security exercises, the calm can be shattered by …

WA Man Wins National Conservation Award

OLYMPIA, Wash. - Fifty years of activism, and Billy Frank Jr. is still going strong; the Washington man has received the highest award from a …

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WA: Animal Welfare