WDFW Begins Status Reviews, Seeks Information On 9 Wildlife Species

OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is seeking updated information about nine wildlife species as part of a review of native wildlife populations listed by the state as endangered, threatened or sensitive.

WDFW will accept public comments through Feb. 25, 2017, on sea otters, grizzly bears, ferruginous hawks, northern leopard frogs, Larch Mountain salamanders, and four species of whales, including sei, North Pacific right, blue and fin.

More information on these species is available on WDFW's website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/endangered/status_review/

The comment period is part of a process to update status reviews for each species and determine whether the species warrants its current listing or deserves to be reclassified or delisted.

WDFW is specifically looking for information on:

* Species demographics

* Habitat conditions

* Threats and trends

* Conservation measures that have benefited the species

* New data collected since the last status review for the species

Public input is an essential part of gathering the best available scientific data for any species, said Hannah Anderson, listing and recovery section manager for WDFW’s wildlife diversity division.

"We are interested in obtaining information from the public, including non-governmental groups, universities, private researchers and naturalists," Anderson said. "Such groups and individuals could have valuable data, such as annual population counts or privately developed habitat management plans."

Written information may be submitted through WDFW's website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/endangered/status_review/comments.html, via email to TandEpubliccom@dfw.wa.gov, or by mail to Hannah Anderson, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, 600 Capitol Way N., Olympia, WA 98501-1091.

WDFW will post an updated status review for each species, along with the department’s recommendation on the species’ protective status. The department will seek public comments on the updated reviews and listing recommendations. WDFW staff ultimately will present their recommendations to the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission, a citizen panel appointed by the governor, at a public hearing.