Local

Six wildlife stories about creatures across Washington state

Stories by Tacoma News Tribune journalists, with AI summarization

This list of wildlife stories illustrates the connection between people and animals in Washington state, including mountain lion cubs and a newborn orca.

Mysterious blue blobs called by-the-wind-sailors wash up on beaches each spring, while beach explorers spot sea stars, crabs and clams during low tides in Puget Sound. Many stories mention the work of biologists, students and care teams who help protect the region's creatures.

A starfish waits for the tides to come back in as people tour the sea life is visibile during low tide at the Fox Island Sand Spit, on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, in Fox Island, Wash. By Brian Hayes

NO. 1: SEA STARS, CRABS AND SNORTING CLAMS: WHAT CAN YOU FIND IN THE LOW TIDE OF PUGET SOUND?

These experts are offering free beach tours at low tide this week. | Published April 2, 2025 | Read Full Story by Becca Most

An orphaned mountain lion cub is recovering at a Washington wildlife rescue facility after he was found malnourished in the wild, officials said.

NO. 2: WATCH ORPHANED MOUNTAIN LION CUB WITH ‘SPICY’ PERSONALITY RECOVER AT WA PARK

“He is zesty. You go, you spicy little dude!” | Published April 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Brooke Baitinger

open seas in the ocean

NO. 3: BABY KILLER WHALE SPOTTED WITH FIRST-TIME MOM NEAR WASHINGTON, PHOTOS SHOW

This whale population is critically endangered. | Published April 9, 2025 | Read Full Story by Helena Wegner

Coyotes chased people in Columbus, Ohio, at night, and one person was bit, police said.

NO. 4: BRAVE RODENT ‘BOOPS’ PROWLING COYOTE — THEN DASHES, WASHINGTON VIDEO SHOWS

Watch it get away. | Published April 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Helena Wegner

Blobby blue discs litter the California shoreline. They are alive and are here thanks to changes in the wind.

NO. 5: THESE MYSTERIOUS BLUE BLOBS ARE WASHING UP ON WA BEACHES. WHAT ARE THEY?

Mild winter weather creates ideal conditions for these jelly-like creatures that travel by wind and wash ashore in spring. | Published April 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Genevieve Belmaker

wavy surface of transparent water of a pure forest lake with reflection of mountains and sky

NO. 6: GRAD STUDENT DISCOVERS CLAWED CREATURE TANGLED NEAR WA LAKE. IT’S A NEW SPECIES

It has a shell, claws and tubercles extending from its head. | Published May 15, 2025 | Read Full Story by Sara Schilling

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.