Wildlife

Togiak National Wildlife Refuge Mammals:

Click on any of the headings below to see pictures and learn more about the lives of these mammals found on Togiak National Wildlife Refuge.

Moose

When the Togiak Refuge was created in 1980, very few moose were present. As adjacent moose populations increased they expanded onto the eastern half of Togiak Refuge. Favorable habitats have allowed moose to increase their numbers and range.

Barren Ground Caribou

In 1980, when the Togiak Refuge was created, very few caribou were present. In 1988, 146 caribou were reintroduced on the Nushagak Peninsula, and they quickly increased to more than 1,200 animals. Likewise, the Mulchatna caribou herd increased to a peak of more than 200,000 animals in 1996. The Mulchatna herd's range encompasses most of southwest Alaska including seasonal use of Togiak Refuge.

Brown Bears

Brown bears are common on the Togiak Refuge. Most sightings occur during the summer in conjunction with salmon spawning season.

Black Bears

Black bears are fairly rare with most sightings along the northern edge of Togiak Refuge.

Wolves

Wolves are common throughout the northern to central parts of the Togiak Refuge. Wolves are classified as both big game and as furbearers in Alaska.

Coyotes

Coyotes are becoming more common on the Togiak Refuge and incidental reports suggest that they are extending further west than previously observed.

Red and Arctic Fox

Red fox are abundant and may be found in almost every habitat on Togiak Refuge. Arctic foxes are rare with most found along the Kuskokwim Bay coast.

Wolverines

Wolverines are common in the mountainous regions of the Togiak Refuge. As with wolves, wolverines are classified as both big game and as furbearers in Alaska.

Lynx

Lynx are considered uncommon, but observations have been reported on the eastern edge of the Togiak Refuge.

River and Sea Otters

River otters, also known as land otters, are abundant on Togiak Refuge. Sea otter sightings are rare, but there have been a few observations. One sea otter sighting was at Cape Pierce during the summer of 2000.

Mink and Weasels

Mink are common throughout Togiak Refuge. Two species of weasel also occur on Togiak Refuge: Least and Short-Tailed weasels. Little is known about these smallest members of the Mustelid family.

Marten

Marten are rare on Togiak Refuge, usually found in mature conifer stands.

Hoary Marmot

Marmots are a common sight in talus slopes and cliff areas along the coastal and southern areas of Togiak Refuge.

Beavers

Beavers are abundant and found along most rivers, lakes and streams on Togiak Refuge; their dams and lodges are common sights.

Muskrat

Muskrats are rare to uncommon on Togiak Refuge. Historical reports suggest that muskrats were once abundant on the Nushagak Peninsula, but reasons for their decline remain a mystery.

Arctic Ground and Red Squirrels

Arctic ground squirrels are the only ground squirrel species in Alaska. They are commonly found on Togiak Refuge and their fur is used in local clothing, hence the nickname "parka squirrel." Red squirrels are also common in the spruce forests on Togiak Refuge.

Snowshoe and Arctic Hares

Snowshoe hares are common throughout Togiak Refuge. Arctic hares are rare, with only occasional sightings, and their populations are thought to be declining throughout most of their range.

Porcupine

Porcupines are common on Togiak Refuge, mainly in shrubby and forested areas.

Small Mammals

Several species of shrews, voles, mice, and lemmings have been documented on Togiak National Wildlife Refuge, including the rare Alaska tiny shrew.

Little Brown Bat

The little brown bat is the only species of bat known to occur on Togiak Refuge, although six bat species have been documented in Alaska. Currently there is little information about how commonly this species occurs on Togiak Refuge.

Baleen Whales

Baleen whales known to occur in waters adjacent to the Togiak Refuge are the gray whale, minke whale, and sei whale. Gray whales are considered common locally (common in certain areas of the Togiak Refuge) during their spring migration. Sei and minke whales are both rare.

Toothed Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises

Members of this group sighted in waters near the Togiak Refuge are the beluga whale, Cuvier's beaked whale, the killer whale (orca) and the Pacific white-sided dolphin. Belugas are common locally (common in certain areas), killer whales are uncommon, and Cuvier's beaked whales and Pacific white-sided dolphins are rare.

Harbor porpoises and Dall's porpoises also inhabit the waters of the Togiak Refuge. Dall's porpoises are uncommon, while harbor porpoises are considered rare.

Sea Lions and Fur Seals

Steller sea lions are common locally (common in certain areas) on Togiak Refuge. Northern fur seals also inhabit Togiak Refuge shorelines, but are rare.

Pacific Walrus

Pacific walrus haul out on beaches along the coast of the Togiak Refuge to rest, often in large groups. Pacific walrus are usually found on land only near their haulout areas, and thus are considered common locally (common in certain areas) on Togiak Refuge.

Seals

Spotted seals, harbor seals, ribbon seals, ringed seals, and bearded seals have all been documented on Togiak Refuge. Harbor seals and spotted seals are common; the other species are rare on Togiak Refuge.