NORTH COAST WILDLIFE

Wildlife

A herd of Roosevelt elk grazes along a sunny hillside near Cascade Head. In the distance, the bellowing of sea lions can be heard. Oregon's Coast Range is home to some of the most spectacular wildlife in the world, made even more impressive by the combination of land and sea animals. Although the amount of designated wilderness is small in the Coast Range (less than one percent), the low overall population density allows ample room for wildlife.

No discussion of issues surrounding salmon recovery and habitat restoration would be complete without an understanding of how fish, wildlife and habitat are interdependent. For example, the carcasses of spawned out salmon were once a major nutrient source for plants and animals along streams, completing a cycle of nutrient exchange between the land and the sea.

Some of the wildlife found in the North Coast basin include:

  • Beaver
  • Elk
  • Cougar
  • Striped skunk
  • Raccoon
  • Red Squirrel
  • Black Bear
  • Bobcat
  • Canada goose
  • Bald eagle
  • Osprey
  • Red-tailed hawk
  • Pacific giant salamander
  • Sea-lion
  • Western snowy plover

For information on these species and more use the Oregon Wildlife Explorer. You will be able to view a list of wildlife species in the North Coast basin and learn specifics about each species. The portal also has tips and links about watchable wildlife, conservation and other animal topics.

For information on species recovery and monitoring and other activities related to wildlife in the North Coast basin see the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Newport Field Office website.