Help keep common wildlife common and fill in the blank spaces for presence of rare and hard-to-document species or species of special public or agency concern. Report wildlife observations and join the many citizen scientists who collaborate and share observations on behalf of revealing a more complete picture of wildlife species presence, health and condition, movements and distribution patterns.
In the event of an immediate public safety issue, wildlife violation, or an injured or dangerous animal, please call the WDFW Enforcement office at 360-902-2936 or email enforcement-web@dfw.wa.gov, or call 911.
Wildlife observation reporting tools
Report wildlife observations
Interested parties can explore and submit wildlife point observations that are a priority for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Priority observations include Washington Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) and state species of concern. Please note that by using this web application you agree to share your email with WDFW staff who may contact you for more information about your submitted report. Because rare species observations can be difficult to verify without some follow-up, providing an email insures the data you share can be put to good use.
If you are unable to use the reporting form, please submit your observations by emailing us at wildlife.data@dfw.wa.gov. We may only check this email weekly.
Report sick, injured, or dead wildlife
WDFW seeks to understand and respond to the diseases that affect the health of wildlife of our state. You can help by reporting sick, injured or dead wildlife. Learn more about Washington wildlife health issues.
Report sick or dead bats
White-nose syndrome (WNS) is a deadly disease that was recently confirmed in Washington state bats. We are asking you to report sick/dead bats and groups of bats you find. Learn more about bats and WNS.
Report limping elk or elk with hoof deformities
WDFW seeks to understand and respond to the diseases that affect the health of elk in our state. You can help by reporting limping elk or dead elk with hoof deformities. Find out more about elk hoof disease.
Moose Survey
If you spend time in undeveloped areas where moose may occur, your report can help inform moose management whether or not you see any moose. WDFW is most interested in reports from people spending time in natural areas in Okanogan, Ferry, Stevens, Pend Oreille, and Spokane counties between September 1 and November 30.
As you hunt, hike, fish, or otherwise spend time in these areas, keep track of how many hours you spend afield and how many cow, calf, or bull moose you see, then submit one report per day afield. Even if you don't see any moose, your report is valuable. The fall time period provides the best information to better understand moose status, productivity, and population trends. WDFW biologists will use reports from this time period to inform scientific studies, conservation and management decisions.
Observations from other times of year are helpful but not as useful to inform of factors such as calving, sex ratios, or moose abundance indices. Specific locations from this form are not displayed publicly, but are considered and evaluated in our Moose Progress Report.
Please note: This does not take the place of regulation-required Hunter Reports after hunting season.
Report Mountain Goat Encounters
WDFW and the US Forest Service are interested in better understanding the dynamics of mountain goat / human interactions, particularly on popular trails and camping areas. You can help by reporting mountain goat encounters. Learn more about mountain goats.
Non-native/invasive species
Invasive species, both plant and animal, pose a serious threat to the biological diversity of coastal waters the world over. With improvements in travel technology, the rate of introductions of non-native species has increased dramatically. You can help by reporting non-native and invasive species at the Washington Invasive Species Council website.
Report wolf sightings
Wolves are returning to Washington. You can help by reporting wolves. Learn more about wolf conservation, management, natural history, wolf sightings and wolf packs.