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Did You Know?

All penguins, whether they live in warm or cold climates, have the same body temperature of 100 to 102 degrees.

New At The Zoo

Register now for Winter Camps at the Zoo
Keep your kids active and engaged during winter break this year and sign up for Winter Camps at the Zoo.

Encourage imagination and fun when they become a junior aquarist one day and a wild winter photographer the next! ...all while you finish that last-minute holiday shopping.

Learn more and register today!
Welcome Bali
There's a new tiger in town!

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium now has three resident tigers, Java and Jaya and their new roommate, Bali.

Bali made his debut in October, so visit this weekend to see him discovering his new home.
We have babies!
Another meerkat became a mama!

Stop by this weekend to see these adorable, bubbly creatures explore their home and cuddle up together.

There are four new little ones in the mob, and they were all born on August 20. They're so young that their keepers can't even tell if they're male or female yet!

Plan your Zoo trip with these daily events.
More info

Zoo hours:

September 28 - December 31 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. daily (except Tues. and Weds. during November and December)
Parking is FREE!
more info

Get involved: The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has developed a draft conservation plan for the Puget Sound population of rockfish. Voice your opinion at the WDFW website by December 1 and check out these rockfish fun facts.


Point Defiance Park: The Zoo is just one of many attractions in Point Defiance Park, including Fort Nisqually, Owen Beach, public gardens and others. To learn more about Point Defiance Park and services, click here.

Our sister park: This is a great time to visit Northwest Trek Wildlife Park in Eatonville -- just 35 miles from Tacoma. The park features a narrated tram tour through more than 400 acres of meadows and forests where you can see bison, elk, moose, mountain goats and more. There's also a walking tour on paved forested pathways to see predators and small forest and wetland animals. Save your Zoo ticket for a 2-for-1 admission (printed on back) to Northwest Trek. For more information about Northwest Trek, go to www.nwtrek.org.

  • Northwest Trek
  • MetroParks Tacoma
  • American Zoo & Aquarium Association
  • The Zoo Society
  • Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks & Aquariums