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Zoo News

animals

Sep 19, 2022

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium is now home to a new rescued Arctic fox named Sven. Guests can meet the three-year-old fox in the newly renovated fox habitat in the … Continued

Sep 14, 2022

Suki the elephant celebrates her 58th birthday this September. We caught up with Elephant Manager Shannon to learn what she believes are Suki’s secrets to a long life. Shannon has … Continued

Sep 14, 2022

The zoo is currently home to three 3-month-old baby opossums, known as a joeys. Two of the joeys will soon be moved to other zoos accredited by the Association of … Continued

Jul 19, 2022

CLARA THE SEA OTTER MAKES DEBUT She’s calm and patient – and loves participating in training and enrichment sessions with her keepers. Clara, the newest southern sea otter, made her … Continued

Jul 05, 2022

Sunny and temperatures above 75 isn’t just the perfect weather for humans, it’s exactly the weather Clyde the savannah monitor lizard thrives in. Clyde, a juvenile lizard, arrived at the … Continued

Jun 22, 2022

Cho Cho, born in 1967 and believed to be the oldest siamang in human care in the United States and possibly the world, was humanely euthanized at Point Defiance Zoo … Continued

May 20, 2022

Birth marks major milestone for zoos and aquariums worldwide A spotted eagle ray pup is flourishing off-exhibit at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. Born in April, the male pup marks … Continued

May 09, 2022

Blizzard, a beloved polar bear who inspired generations of guests from across the Puget Sound region and around the world to care about his species, was humanely euthanized at Point … Continued

Apr 18, 2022

“Extraordinary Creatures and How to Care for Them,” a brand-new animal show debuts May 7 at the Zoo’s Wild Wonders Outdoor Theater. We watched the show’s superstars – keepers and … Continued

Apr 08, 2022

He’s the newest superstar at the Wild Wonders Outdoor Theater – and he’s super speedy. “That’s why we named him Rocket!” said keeper Sara, one of the many people who … Continued

Apr 01, 2022

After six sets of teeth and one additional molar, Suki the Asian elephant has lost her final tooth. Suki is extraordinary. At 57, she is a senior elephant and has … Continued

Mar 09, 2022

After more than two years of being closed due to the pandemic, the Budgie Buddies Aviary reopens to the public on May 7. Even better, there will be five new … Continued

Mar 02, 2022

Charlotte and Hudson, two muskoxen at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, are expecting a calf this spring. “Charlotte is steadily gaining baby weight and looking very pregnant,” said zoo curator … Continued

Feb 11, 2022

The word “enrichment” is said dozens of times a day around the Zoo. As in, “we have Suki’s enrichment ready” or “Indah really seemed to enjoy her enrichment today” or … Continued

Jan 27, 2022

Lunar New Year is on February 1. According to the Chinese Zodiac, 2022 is the Year of the Tiger. If you were born in 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998 … Continued

Jan 27, 2022

Love is in the air at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium! There’s no concrete way to measure an animal’s love but many of the animals at the zoo are coupled … Continued

Dec 21, 2021

What a year this has been! Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium provided a home and second chance to a rescued sea lion named Björn, celebrated the births of a Southern … Continued

Dec 20, 2021

Blizzard the polar bear celebrated his birthday at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium with all his favorite things: cake, a tree, a big barrel and more than 2,000 pounds of … Continued

Dec 16, 2021

A four-month-old clouded leopard cub named Rakhan (pronounced Rah-kaan) recently arrived at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. The cub joins the zoo on a breeding recommendation through the Species Survival Plan®. … Continued

Dec 07, 2021

PUPDATE Jan. 11: At 1.5 pounds, Segway has more than quadrupled her weight in two months. The growing pup is doing well and continues to be with Vespa behind the … Continued

Nov 16, 2021

UPDATE: 12/7/2021: The pup has a name! Keepers named the pup “Segway.” Read more here. Southern three-banded armadillos Vespa and Scooter welcomed a female pup into the world in late … Continued

Oct 04, 2021

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium staff are mourning the loss of Kirana, a female  Sumatran tiger who died this morning after experiencing severe injuries during a breeding introduction as part … Continued

Sep 29, 2021

UPDATE December 2021: Our veterinarians have been working with veterinary oncologists and Blizzard’s care team to provide the best possible care for Blizzard. The senior polar bear is receiving oral … Continued

Sep 27, 2021

On a rainy, late-summer morning in Tacoma, keeper Cindy is watching the puffins. She’s drenched, but that’s just part of the job she loves. The “unglamorous” part of keeper life … Continued

Sep 20, 2021

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium is home to three sea otters in the Rocky Shores habitat. Every September, one week is dedicated to bringing awareness to sea otters. Sea otters … Continued

Aug 27, 2021

What’s the best way to take your first swim? Well, if you’re a hand-reared penguin chick, you find a penguin buddy. On a hot day in August, penguin chick Rio … Continued

Aug 16, 2021

On an overcast morning, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium’s jelly team readies their boat and heads out into Puget Sound to a cove between Vashon and Maury Islands. The goal: … Continued

Aug 16, 2021

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium is inviting the community to help name the new female giant Pacific octopus inside the Pacific Seas Aquarium. The zoo’s aquarists have chosen six names … Continued

Aug 13, 2021

As a powerful heat wave hits the greater Tacoma area with temperatures nearing 100-degrees, keepers at both Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma, Wash. and Northwest Trek Wildlife Park … Continued

Aug 11, 2021

Whenever Friday the 13th rolls around, even the least superstitious of us might look askance at a black cat or shiver at an owl hoot. But animal superstitions, although fun, … Continued