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Open June 19
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Laerke is making the most of the warm weather! 🐻❄️💦
When temperatures rise, our 5-year-old polar bear loves cooling off in her saltwater pool. From splashing and diving to playful swims, her pools provide both enrichment and a refreshing way for Laerke to stay comfortable on sunny days. ☀️
📹: Animal care staff Katie
Move over, World Cup stars, Hudson is ready for kickoff! ⚽ Our male muskox is showing off some seriously powerful soccer skills as he headbutts and chases a massive "soccer ball." While it looks like fun (and it is!), enrichment plays an important role in animal care by encouraging natural behaviors through physical activity, mental stimulation, and exploration.
At just one week old, our sea lion pup is already making a splash! 🦭💙
While sea lion pups aren`t born expert swimmers, they learn quickly through practice and play. This little guy is getting more comfortable in the water every day. So comfortable, in fact, that he`s been chasing his own flippers around his tiny turtle tub! These early water experiences help build the confidence and skills he`ll need as he grows.
The 26-pound youngster will continue bonding with mom before making his public debut later this summer alongside the rest of the sea lion and harbor seal family.
A healthy start for our newest sea lion pup. 💙
Born June 1, the 26-pound pup recently received his neonatal exam and is doing well. He’s growing, gaining strength, and spending plenty of time bonding with mom, Eloise, behind the scenes.
🦭 Swipe to see some adorable photos from his checkup.
Sound up for adorable baby howls! ❤️ The seven-week-old Red Wolf pups are finding their voices. The litter includes six males and three females, and is the latest success in recovering this critically endangered species. The American Red Wolf family will remain behind the scenes at our offsite facility, so stay tuned online for pupdates. 🐺
Exciting news! 💙 Our second-ever sea lion pup arrived on June 1! Mom Eloise and her growing pup are doing well behind the scenes, where he’s nursing, gaining strength, finding his voice, and getting to know his care team. The 26-pound youngster will continue bonding with mom before making his public debut later this summer alongside the rest of the sea lion and harbor seal family. 🦭
Join us for our very first Dog Nights of Summer on June 26! ☀️
Whether you’re bringing your pup, planning a date night, or gathering your favorite friends, this adults-only (18+) after-hours event offers a unique way to experience the zoo and both aquariums. Stroll the grounds at your own pace, enjoy summer treats, and meet amazing animals!
Dogs are welcome with a pre-purchased dog ticket, but you don’t need a canine companion to enjoy this unforgettable summer evening.
✨ First-ever event
🐶 Dogs welcome with a dog ticket
🎟️ Tickets required for all guests
💙 Member discounts available
☀️ pdza.org/dog-nights-of-summer
Zebra shark pupdate for World Oceans Day! 🦈💙
Big things are happening for the zebra shark pups descended from our shark pair, Peanut and Butter! Through our partnership with the global conservation coalition ReShark, healthy zebra sharks that hatched last year have officially graduated to a protected sea pen in Indonesia. There, dedicated local “shark nannies” care for the growing pups while minimizing human interaction, helping prepare them for life in the wild.
Once they reach the appropriate size, these endangered sharks will be tagged and released into the waters of Raja Ampat through the StAR Project, a groundbreaking effort to restore wild zebra shark populations.
From Tacoma to the tropics, every pup represents hope for the future of this endangered species, and a powerful example of what conservation partnerships can achieve.
📸: Photos from @rarcc & @resharkorg
