Lincoln City and the surrounding area are filled with a vast array of different wild animals. From black bears to gray whales to Ospreys. While enjoying the beautiful environment in Lincoln City, it is important to remember some basic tips in the off-chance you face a wild animal. While each wild animal has different ways to approach or avoid them, here are some basic tips.

From the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife if you are out in the woods in and around Lincoln City

Bears, squirrels and raccoons

• Don't feed the animals
• Store all food and garbage in animal proof containers when possible
• Give animals a way to escape
• Don't bury garbage. Bears can dig it up
• Be careful using scented items like suntan lotions, soaps and toiletries
• Oregon Black Bears
  
  • Never approach a bear
  • Make noise while walking through woods to not surprise the bear
  • When out in the woods, leave dogs at home, leave them in the car, or leash them.
  • If you see bear cubs, leave the area
  • Never pickup a bear cub - its mother left it there and it will return
  • Do not run or look them in the eyes
  • Make noise
  • Fight back in the rare event of an attack

If you see the flyer below, be vigilant

Cougars and other Carnivores

• Manage food and garbage safely
• Be aware of your surroundings
• Do not leave a dog tied outside
• Stay in a group

Marine Mammals

Check out the OMMSN stranding "do's and don'ts."

If you are concerned about the welfare of a marine mammal you encounter, report it to the 24-hour Oregon State Police hotline at 800-452-7888. Please describe the situation and location of the animal so the Oregon Marine Mammal Stranding Network (OMMSN) can follow up on your concerns.

Dead or Stranded Marine Mammals on beaches

The Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program coordinates emergency responses to sick, injured, distressed, or dead seals, sea lions, dolphins, porpoises, and whales. The 1992 Amendments to the Marine Mammal Protection Act formalized this program and designated NOAA Fisheries' Office of Protected Resources as the lead agency to coordinate related activities. The program focuses on four primary areas:

• Stranding and entanglement networks.
• Unusual mortality event response.
• Biosurveillance and baseline health research.
• John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Program.

What is a Stranding?

• A marine mammal that is on the shore and unable to return to the water under its own power.
• A marine mammal that is on the shore and, although able to return to the water, is in need of apparent medical attention.
• A marine mammal in the water that cannot return to its natural habitat without assistance.
• A dead marine mammal on the beach or in the water.

How to Report a Stranding

First, determine if the animal is truly stranded. Many seals and sea lions haul out and rest on land and are not in distress. You can evaluate the animal’s behavior and monitor their condition for 24 hours. Let others who are nearby know to stay at least 100 yards away (about the length of a football field), keep pets 100 yards away, help minimize disturbances if possible, and be aware of hazards or rising tides and monitor from an area that is safe.

Reporting Hotlines

To report a dead, injured, or stranded marine mammal along the West Coast (i.e., off California, Oregon, and Washington):

• West Coast Region Stranding Hotline: 1-866-767-6114
• Regional Stranding Response Contacts

For more information, please visit the West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network webpage.