WDFW

50 years ago, President Nixon signed the Marine Mammal Protection Act into law. The act has been hugely successful in restoring the abundance of the marine species it protects. But Washington tribes say their treaty rights to fishing are now under threat because too many seals and sea lions are feasting on endangered salmon.

As boating season heats up, so do encounters with marine wildlife. Concerned citizens aim to educate others on whale wise behavior. State wildlife officials appreciate the help with their force spread thin and different enforcement protocols for the endangered southern resident orcas and transient, or Bigg's, killer whales.

Only two species of turtles in Washington are native. And one of those, the western pond turtle, nearly went extinct here in the 1990s. 30 years ago, the state began collaborating with partners at the Woodland Park Zoo to bring them back.

Washington wildlife officials are urging people to take down their bird feeders, even at this coldest time of year. That’s because of an outbreak of…

At a public boat launch on Black Lake, south of Olympia, Sgt. Pam Taylor holds dozens of small, dark black shells in the palm of her hand. At her side is…