Wildlife of the Tulare Basin

The Tulare Basin hosts an amazing concentration of endangered, threatened, or sensitive animal species, including nine invertebrates, three amphibians, five reptiles, 42 birds, and 13 mammals. Some animals are only found in the Tulare Basin, others are endemic to California and a few range throughout western North America.

Over the past century, modifications to the Tulare Basin's land and water have resulted in the critical status given to these animals. Loss, fragmentation, and degradation of wetlands and uplands have reduced the availability of food and other resources, while restricting and isolating populations. A variety of factors contributed to habitat loss and continues to threaten these species:

• Changes in agricultural practices or poorly-managed grazing
• Changes in water flow and management
• Invasion of non-native plants
• Mining and petroleum extraction
• Off-highway vehicle use
• Parasites and disease
• Pesticide, insecticide or rodenticide spraying and drift
• Predation from introduced species
• Shooting, trapping and poisoning
• Urbanization and industrial developments
• Water pollution and degraded water quality
• Climate change

The Tulare Basin Wildlife Partners works to protect our unique and exciting animal diversity, resulting in a watershed that is more vibrant, resilient, and healthy for people and nature alike.