Woodland Park Zoo and Seattle University have joined forces to launch the Seattle Urban Carnivore Project, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at understanding how mammalian carnivores live and interact with people in urban and suburban areas.

The project introduces Carnivore Spotter, an innovative platform that encourages residents to report sightings of various carnivores in the Seattle region. The project focuses on several species, including: Black Bear Bobcat Cougar / Mountain Lion Coyote Opossum Raccoon River Otter Red Fox These animals, primarily terrestrial mammals in the taxonomic order Carnivora (with the exception of opossums), have diverse diets ranging from carnivorous to omnivorous, consuming both plants and animals.

Residents can use the Carnivore Spotter observation form to submit sightings of these animals. Reports with photos, videos, or audio are particularly encouraged, as these forms of media increase report confidence and allow project staff to verify the accuracy of the observations.

Each dot on the interactive Carnivore Spotter map represents an observation submitted by the community. While multiple observations of individual animals can be recorded, only those with accompanying media can be officially confirmed.

The Seattle Urban Carnivore Project aims to shed light on the behavior and movement patterns of urban carnivores, fostering a better understanding of how these animals coexist with humans in densely populated areas. By participating in Carnivore Spotter, Seattle residents can contribute valuable data that will help shape future urban wildlife management strategies.

For more information and to participate in the Carnivore Spotter project, visit the official website of the Seattle Urban Carnivore Project.