The five largest fires in Oregon have burned 1.2 million acres so far.

The Big Grass Fire in southeastern Oregon spans 358,959 acres, the state’s largest. On July 23, the fire was started by a lightning strike and has eventually made its way into Idaho. Officials say that it’s 35% contained and a total of 959 personnel are assigned to the fire.

Rowe Creek Complex, the second-largest fire, which is currently burning in Crook, Jefferson, and Wheeler counties. 329,012 acres have been burned so far, and 62% is contained. It was also started by a lightning strike on July 15th. Level 1, 2, and 3 evacuation orders are in effect, as the fire remains active with smoke.

The Grasshopper Fire is the closest wildfire to Portland, just burning east of Mount Hood. The highly active fire is on the move towards Highway #5 and the Mount Hood Meadows ski resort. 39439 acres has been burned, and only 20% is contained. Smoke from the fire is currently covering the Portland metro area and the Willamette Valley.

Since the fire began, weather conditions have stayed consistent, but a change is expected by the end of the week. On Friday and Saturday, dusty winds will move across the region, which will elevate the wildfire threat once again.

Source: 49 large fires burn in Oregon and Washington as smoke worsens air quality

In recent events, various pet owners raised concerns over social media posts, falsely believing a human intentionally killed their cats. A couple of deaths were reported in Kent.

As a result, RASKC investigated the incidents, according to a July 29 news release. The remains discovered were then given to an award-winning forensic veterinarian and wildlife biologist to get a deeper understanding.

“They determined the evidence did not point toward human-inflicted deaths,” according to RASKC. “The findings were consistent with veterinary forensic research that shows wildlife can cause injuries that may be mistaken for
intentional human mutilation.”

Here are some causes for the cat deaths:

-Being killed by coyotes and other wildlife

-Exposure to disease

-Getting hit by cars on the busy roads

-Exposure to toxins

-Injuries from fights with other animals

Be sure to keep your cats indoors or supervised during outdoor time, according to RASKC. In addition, all cats and dogs in the RASKC coverage area should be licensed. Pets with licenses are easier to identify. If you see any animal acting dangerously or injured, report the incident to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Residents can also report animal threats to RASKC. Visit kingcounty.gov/AnimalControl for more information.

Source: Wildlife blamed for recent cat deaths in South King County

Authorities believe the culprits were headed for illegal markets in Delhi, Haryana, and other parts of northern India. The wildlife parts were sent from the state of Madhya Pradesh.

In a statement, Wildlife SOS said,

“This operation demonstrates what is possible when intelligence-driven conservation and strong inter-agency collaboration come together to dismantle organised wildlife trafficking networks.

“Every leopard lost to poaching is an irreplaceable loss to India’s forests, and every successful enforcement action is a step towards disrupting illegal wildlife trade. Wildlife SOS remains committed to this fight, continuing to provide intelligence support and legal assistance as investigations progress to identify and bring the wider trafficking network to justice.”

Although leopards are protected under India’s Wildlife Protection Act, they continue to be targets of poachers for their skins, bones, claws, and teeth. Leopards are apex predators that play an important role in balancing healthy ecosystems and regulating prey populations.

Wildlife trafficking is one of the world’s largest forms of organized crime, with an estimated value of $7 billion to $23 billion annually.

This event is a reminder to humanity that leopards and other wildlife are facing extinction and habitat loss.

Source: 10 Leopard Skins Seized In Major Wildlife Trafficking Bust In India

According to researchers, Jimothy has a spine disorder, which gives him a smaller torso and compresses the vertebrae to create the illusion of no neck.

No matter his deformity, Jimothy is braving it out each day and not letting the disorder change his daily habits. Jimothy’s home is located near Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood. He’s most commonly seen around Northwest 50th Street.

Have you seen Jimothy? Send us a photo at fieldandfauna424@gmail.com.

Credits: Who is 'Jimothy'? Why a Seattle racoon has gone viral

The young seal, known as Number 24, was shot in the head and rescued in Bellingham. The seal is being cared for at SR3, the Pacific Northwest’s only marine hospital.

The seal was predicted to have been shot over July fourth weekend.

Credit: King 5

An X-ray of harbor seal pup No.24 revelaed a bullet lodged inside its body. The pup survived after livesaving care at SR3.

The next steps include undergoing a CT scan to better understand if taking out the bullet is safe.

Caregivers say the pup has continued its path to healing. The marine hospital said No. 24 was one of the many marine animals to be brought to the center with shot wounds.

"We are seeing an increasing number of gunshot cases coming in. We've seen about four in less than a year. This can range from adult animals to this young harbor seal pup," McLean said. "It's really sad because we do see this as a case where people are taking out their frustration over salmon issues on these animals."

Veterainerns believe that the resaon of all the shootings could be because of the need of more salmon. Seals are the primary driver of salmon declines.

"Unfortunately, seals and sea lions are not the reason for salmon decline, and the science is quite clear about that," McLean said.

When injured, a harbor seal pups typically spend a few months in rehabiliation beofre they are strong enough to return to the wild. As of now, its uncertain, depending on the CT scan and the possible need of surgery.

Source: Seal pup shot in Bellingham highlights rise in marine gunshot cases

Lifespan: They live up to 10-15 years in the wild and upwards of 20 years in captivity.

Diet: Primarily grazers, relying on grasses and sedges in summer and shrubs, forbs, and tree bark in winter.

Total Population: Current wild populations number near 1 million across the western United States and Canada

Image: Rocky Mountain Elk - Bryce Canyon National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

Antler Spread: Up to 4 feet (typically featuring a distinct 3-point crown)

State populations: ~59,000 in Oregon, largest unmanaged herd (~5,000) in Washington's Olympic National Park

Diet: Grasses, forbs, shrubs, and tree bark (depends heavily on seasonal availability)

Length: 6.9 to 10 feet

Image: Roosevelt Elk (U.S. National Park Service)

Lifespan & Behavior: They typically live 7 to 10 years in the wild.

Population Status: Not considered threatened and have stable populations in the forests and clearings west of the Cascades.

Antlers: Mature bucks have antlers that fork evenly into two main beams, rather than branching off like white-tailed deer.

Image: https://wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/species/odocoileus-hemionus-columbianus

Speed: They can reach top speeds of up to 35 mph.

Diet: Their diet consists of roughly 74% woody vegetation, trees, and shrubs.

Lifespan: The average lifespan in the wild is 8 to 12 years, but they can live up to 20 years in captivity.

Antlers: Bucks shed and regrow them annually. They bifurcate (fork and branch outward) rather than growing straight off a main beam like white-tailed deer.

Image: https://www.nps.gov/romo/learn/nature/mule_deer.htm

Regional Hubs: Texas holds the largest state population with 4.5 to 5.5 million deer

Speed & Agility: Can run at 30-36 mph and leap up to 8 ft vertically.

Antlers: Grown only by males; they can grow up to a quarter inch per day and are shed annually in winter.

Height & Length: Stand 2.5 to 4 ft tall at the shoulder and measure 3 to 7 ft in total length.

Image: https://www.eekwi.org/animals/mammals/white-tailed-deer

Speed: Can reach top speeds of up to 40 mph and cruise comfortably around 20 mph.

Lifespan: Up to 14 years in the wild, though typically less due to human interaction and predation.

Diet: Omnivorous. Their diet includes small mammals (rodents, rabbits), insects, fruit, carrion, and occasionally larger prey like deer.

Reproduction: Mating peaks in February

Image: https://www.nps.gov/deva/learn/nature/coyote.htm

Lifespan: 8 to 13 years in the wild; over 20 years in captivity.

Diet: Obligate carnivores that primarily hunt deer and elk, but will also eat smaller mammals and occasionally livestock.

Range: Holds the Guinness World Record for the animal with the most names (over 40 in English alone).

Weight: Males average 130–150 lbs, while females weigh 90–100 lbs (can range from 65 to 265 lbs depending on the region

Image from Britannica

The above is according to a new study led by researchers at Washington State University and Google. They tested whether an independent AI system could replace humans in examining millions of images collected in the wild. In the study, the team discovered that for most species, AI can closely match the identified images, similar to humans.

Faster image processing can lead to more productivity for researchers and wildlife managers in making decisions about monitoring species, such as jaguars, wolves, and grizzly bears. Without AI, the process is slow and labor-intensive. Using camera traps (which are motion-activated) placed in forests and wetlands can produce detailed datasets. A single project can make millions of images that AI reviews to determine which animal is in each frame.

The earliest AI tools have given some relief to researchers, often identifying 60-70% of images. Humans are still required to review the work of AI. The latest study tested that the final step of humans reviewing can be removed.

Google developed a general AI model called SpeciesNet, where researchers can search through a database and review the work of AI.

Even when AI makes mistakes (like misidentifying animals), the general models remained stable because other models rely on repeated observations.

This method saves bundles of time, and now processing takes roughly a week thanks to AI. This may allow researchers in the near future to expand efforts without being limited by the capacity of data processing. Rather than creating new platforms for AI, the team focuses on what they already have.

Sources: AI cuts wildlife tracking time from months to days

Meet the child of parents Mokiki and Lewis. The baby, whose sex has not been disclosed, is Mokiki’s second birth. Before moving to Seattle, she gave birth to a daughter, Anapenda. They reunited in 2024, when Anapenda joined Woodland Park Zoo.

At birth, colobus monkeys are pure white with pink faces. As they grow over the first three months, their fur changes color to the usual black-and-white color.

These monkeys are known for their striking appearance and bushy white tails that can reach up to 40 inches long.

Visitors can now see Mokiki, Lewis, Anapenda, and the new infant in the outdoor section of the Tropical Rain Forest loop at Woodland Park Zoo.

Sources: Woodland Park Zoo welcomes first colobus monkey born there in nearly 30 years

Despite being common like its fellow cousin, the raccoon, this creature is rarely studied, nocturnal, and smaller than a house cat. In the following images, the ringtail can be seen standing on its hind legs and surveying the area.

^{Image credits: Elster Photography}

The ringtail is a small carnivore that is known for confusing people about its identity. It’s described as a cross between a fox and a cat, but not much larger than a squirrel. It has once been referred to as “miner’s cat”, as miners in the 19th century used the animal for rodent control.

Despite being native to North America, the ringtails are secret and elusive creatures that are full of mysteries.

Credits: Trail Camera Captures One of North America’s Most Elusive Mammals: The Ringtail

Length: 26 to 47 inches from head to body, with a short tail adding an extra 4 to 7 inches.

Height: Stand about 20 to 35 inches tall at the shoulder.

Diet: Strictly carnivorous.

Lifespan: Typically 10 to 12 years in the wild, though they can live upwards of 15-20 years in captivity.

Population: The wild population is estimated to be between 2.3 and 3.5 million.

Lifespan: Average of 20 years in the wild, and up to 30 years in captivity.

Population: An estimated 300,000 to 750,000 black bears live across North America.

Diet: Omnivorous.

Speed: Can run up to 30 mph to 35 mph for short bursts.

Weight: 1.8 to 3.5 pounds

Tail: Rudimentary and stubby, only about 1 inch long

Physical Traits: Stout, cylindrical body, small, rounded ears, poor eyesight, and opposable thumbs

Range: Confined to the Pacific coastal region (southern British Columbia, western Washington/Oregon, and California)

Burrows: Powerful diggers that construct complex, 5–6 foot deep tunnel systems with distinct chambers for nesting, feeding, and feces.

Herbivorous: ferns (sword fern, bracken fern), salal, and tree leaves.