Pacific Northwest Wildlife

Speaking Up for Wildlife

The Pacific Northwest is home to thousands of diverse animal species who make our region wild. Thriving wildlife populations indicate healthy forests, grasslands and watersheds.

NARN works to protect the Northwest’s wildlife through advocating for the return of native, keystone species while fighting for habitat protection for their long-term recovery. We also work to highlight the harmful effects that animal agriculture has on native wildlife populations.

We work in coalition with local, regional, and national organizations to bring attention to issues affecting wildlife in the Pacific Northwest.

Join NARN’s Monthly Wildlife Committee!

Register for the next committee meeting here!

Issues

NARN works on fish and wildlife issues by species or by campaign. See our campaigns below, as well as information on the iconic PNW species that we work to protect.

Seattle Shark Tank

No Seattle Shark Tank!

Seattle approved a city budget that dedicates $20 million dollars of taxpayer money to funding an unnecessary, excessive, and unwanted new shark tank at the Seattle Aquarium.

The Seattle Aquarium’s new tropical shark tank is part of the larger waterfront overhaul congesting downtown. In addition to using taxpayer money, the aquarium will likely capture sharks and possibly sting rays from the South Pacific if they can’t find ones from other facilities which have bred them. Sharks and sting rays are complex and intelligent beings who will die young in a tiny tank.

WDFW Fish & Wildlife Reform

The Washington Fish and Wildlife Reform Coalition was formed after NARN and other conservation reform leaders gathered for the first ever Washington Fish and Wildlife Reform Convention, held on Vashon Island, WA, in late 2022. NARN and Coalition members will make a big push for individual-nonhuman-first conservation tactics for all “Fish and Wildlife” nonhuman animals falling under management at the WA State Dept. of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW), directly contradicting current policies within WDFW that promote consumptive priorities for humans over protective and regenerative policies respecting nonhumans’ place in the PNW ecosystem ( true “conservation” policies).

Bears

Grizzly bear mome and cub

Cougars

cougar

Coyotes

coyote

Wolves

Wolves in Washington

"Fur" Animals

Photo of minks in cage

USDA Wildlife Services

Canada Geese in flight

Wildlife In the News

Needing a Wild Life: Policy Issues and Recommendations for Wild Horses and Burros

Needing a Wild Life: Policy Issues and Recommendations for Wild Horses and Burros  By: Tiffany Kumar Introduction Bears, wolves, whales,…

Aquariums & Colonialism

Aquariums & Colonialism By Emil Davityan The Seattle Aquarium is set to unveil its Ocean Pavilion expansion this summer. Given…

From CAFOs to Catastrophe: The Shocking Toll on Aquatic Life

In the heartland of industrial agriculture, vast Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) churn out copious amounts of animal “products”. Cows,…

Do Aquariums Really Help With Conservation?

An aquarium visit can appear fun and informative. As you wander through the halls, marveling at  the exquisite animals in…

Aquarium Aquaculture : What is it?

Aquarium Aquaculture : What is it? By Izzy Shirah Aquaculture, also known as fish farming, is the practice of cultivating…

POTH, Others, Irresponsible Care Masquerading as Sanctuary for Wild Animals

A Wolf is contained on a leash by a POTH staff member.  Credit: Predators of the Heart Facebook page For…

SEA Aquarium to Transport Aquatic Animals Long Distance

The Seattle Aquarium has decided to prioritize the “well-being” of animals during long-distance transport, as per the standards set by the Association of…

Press Release – SEA Aquarium Shark Tank Potentially Dangerous, Not Because of Sharks

For Immediate Release December 19, 2022 Contact Rachel Bjork, President, Northwest Animals Rights Network,  rachel@narn.org  Hannah Thompson-Garner, Director of Advocacy…

Press Release – TWS Conference Proves Desire for Cooperation, not Conflict, in Wildlife Management

  For Immediate Release  November 28, 2022 Contact Rachel Bjork, President, Northwest Animals Rights Network,   rachel@narn.org  Hannah Thompson-Garner, Director of…