Injured Wildlife

First, assess the situation. Does this animal really need your help? Sometimes birds, fawns, and seals look like they are abandoned but they are not. Err on the side of caution before interfering. “Rescue,” and the associated transport, can be highly traumatic for wild animals and should not be undertaken lightly.  If you decide the animal may need help call Haven Rescue for on island help in assessing, rescuing and transport to an off island facility:  206-876-9652 or info@havenrescue.org  or here is a list of wildlife rehabilitation agencies to call for further assistance.

Marine Mammal Strandings

Marine Mammal Stranding Network— Cathy King from World Vets is our local NOAA Marine Mammal stranding coordinator as of June 2020: call: 253-777-1775, or email: marine-mammals@worldvets.org.  Another local contact is Anne Stateler: 206-463-9041 or vashonorcas@aol.com

Dead deer

If it is in the King County Roads right-of-way, call 1-800-KC-ROADS.

If it’s on your property and too close for comfort, you will need to hire an island excavation service or get a neighbor with a tractor to move it farther away or bury it. If it is further away from you home, leave it to decompose naturally.

Dead mammals or birds that could be used as museum specimens:

Identification questions

Curious about a plant or animal you saw and want help learning more about it? Send us a photo at info@vashonnaturecenter.org or post it to our Facebook group

Septic Concerns

Vashon Team Septic:  Islanders that provide help with any local septic questions https://www.vashonteamseptic.org/

King County Hotline:  206-477-8177, someone will get back to you in 1-2 business days and you do not need to leave name or location.

Poaching (Shellfish or otherwise)

WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Poaching Hotline or email reportpoaching@dfw.wa.gov

Stormwater Problem Reporting

Call 206-477-4811
Email stormwater@kingcounty.gov  or
Submit an online form

Wildlife Sightings

Use our contact form. We love your wildlife questions! Below we have provided answers to those most frequently asked. If you don’t find what you are looking for here, please contact us and we will try our best to help.

Local Wildlife Resource Publications from Vashon Nature Center:

BioBlitz Species Master Lists for Fungi, Mosses and Liverworts, Lichens, Plants, Terrestrial arthropods, Marine and Nearshore, Birds, Reptiles and Amphibians, Mammals.

Active Livestock Management Guide for Vashon and Maury Islands information and best practices on livestock care to minimize wildlife predation.

I am experiencing a safety emergency involving a wild animal. What do I do?
Call 911 and ask for state patrol.

I found an injured animal. What do I do?
First, slow down and assess the situation. Does this animal really need your help? Sometimes birds, fawns, and seals look like they are abandoned but they are not. Err on the side of caution before interfering; watch for a while.”Rescue,” and the associated transport, can be highly traumatic for wild animals and should not be undertaken lightly.  If you decide the animal does need help, here is a list of wildlife rehabilitation agencies to call for further assistance. Local contact is Haven Rescue: 206-876-9652

How do I get involved in your community science projects?
Register for a community science project on our events page. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed on upcoming opportunities. Or, contact us for more information.

Where do I attend talks and workshops?
Register for on our events page. Subscribe to our newsletter for upcoming information. Or, contact us for more information.

Still looking for an answer?
Contact us.