Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium (PDZA) is the only combined zoo and aquarium in the Pacific Northwest. The 29-acre zoological park was established in 1905, and attracts about 700,000 visitors a year. It is nationally accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), which ensures rigorously high standards of animal welfare, veterinary care, conservation, education and more.
The Zoo sits within 700-acre Point Defiance Park, offering spectacular views of Mount Rainier, the Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound. PDZA is operated by Metro Parks Tacoma, the oldest independent park district in Washington.
OUR MISSION
Awakening a connection to Wild Life with everyone in the Pacific Northwest.
OUR VISION
We envision a future where all people in our communities are engaged in the care and protection of nature.
OUR STRATEGIC PLAN
Read our 2022-2027 Strategic Plan highlights here.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, ACCESS, INCLUSION
As part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), we recognize and embrace human diversity in all its forms and facets, and recognize that our work to conserve wildlife and wild places is inextricably linked to issues of environmental and social justice. We are committed to proactively working toward greater diversity, equity, access and inclusion in all that we do.
Full DEAI statement.
OUR SISTER ZOO
Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, also accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, is a 725‐acre zoological park dedicated to conservation, education and recreation by displaying, interpreting and researching native Northwest wildlife and their natural habitats. A facility of Metro Parks Tacoma, it is located 35 miles southeast of Tacoma, off State Highway 161 near Eatonville.
Together, we make up the Zoological and Environmental Education Division (ZEED) of Metro Parks Tacoma.
METRO PARKS TACOMA
Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium is a facility of Metro Parks Tacoma, an independent government agency creating healthy opportunities to play, learn and grow since 1907. A five-member Board of Park Commissioners governs Metro Parks Tacoma and is the policy determining body for the park district. View the current Board of Park Commissioners.
THE ZOO SOCIETY
The Zoo Society fosters the relationship between Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium and our community by raising funds and generating community support.
The Zoo Society supports the mission of PDZA by providing financial and in-kind resources for the Zoo’s recreation, education and conservation programs, its animal collections, and its permanent and temporary exhibitions.
ZOO/TREK AUTHORITY
The Zoo/Trek Authority was established in 2001 to oversee disbursement of sales tax revenue to Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium and Northwest Trek Wildlife Park. In 2000, Pierce County voters approved a one-tenth-of-a-cent increase in the local sales tax rate to support the Zoo, Northwest Trek and parks.
One-half of these new local revenues go to Point Defiance Zoo and Northwest Trek. The other half is divided among park systems throughout Pierce County.
The ZTA is composed of seven elected officials appointed by city and county councils as follows:
- Pierce County Council: 3 members
- Tacoma City Council: 2 members
- Other Pierce County cities/towns: 2 members
The ZTA is charged with approving the biennial operating budgets for Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium and Northwest Trek prior to final adoption by the Metro Parks Tacoma Board of Commissioners.