Prominent wildlife species on the Plateau include mule deer, elk, desert bighorn sheep, pronghorn antelope, black bear, mountain lions, Merriam’s turkeys, peregrine falcons, golden eagles, Gunnison’s sage grouse (state special concern), Colorado River cutthroat trout (state special concern), midget faded rattlesnakes (state special concern), and a wide variety of other aquatic, reptile, avian, and mammal species.

In addition, occasional visitors to the UP area include the re-introduced Canada lynx (threatened) and the cross-fostered whooping crane (endangered). State threatened and endangered species found in the Uncompahgre area include the river otter (endangered; San Miguel and Dolores River drainages), the kit fox (endangered; the Uncompahgre Valley), and the burrowing owl (threatened; Uncompahgre and Gunnison Valleys).

Click the following links for more information on:

• Rocky Mountain Mule Deer
• Rocky Mountain Elk
• Mountain Lion
• Coyote
• Black Bear
• Colorado River Cutthroat Trout
• Gunnison Sage Grouse
• Abert's Squirrel
• Merriam's Turkey
• Desert Bighorn Sheep
• Pronghorn Antelope