Skip to main content
Blog Home
2020 Year in Photos
December 28, 2020

What a year this has been! From clouded leopard AI to a new muskox calf, from Zoolights to HeroRATs and everything in between, we’ve captured this year in our best photos of 2020.

tiger kirana mouth wide
Kirana the tiger.
sea turtle swimming
Bruno the sea turtle joins the Pacific Seas Aquarium.

 

Veterinary staff checks sea turtle's mouth
Veterinary staff examines the inside of Bruno’s mouth
Keepers measure a sea turtle
Veterinary staff and keepers measure the length of Bruno’s shell.
Hudson the muskox.
Hudson the muskox.
sea lion
One of our new sea lions.
muskox in sunlight
Trebek the muskox calf was born in summer.
chicken
Wild Wonders Outdoor Theater got new ambassador chickens.
elephant skin
Suki the elephant celebrated her 56th birthday.
siamang
Cho Cho the siamang turned 54.
walrus and keeper
Pakak with keeper Sheriden Ploof.
two walrus faces
Pakak and Mitik left the zoo for new homes in December.
fruit bat
Indy the fruit bat.
penguin chick in keeper hands
One of the penguin chicks hatched in May.
penguin
A curious penguin.
red wolf pup
Our red wolf pups turned one year old.
red wolf pup
Our red wolf pups turned one year old.
kids in masks at blue hole
The Blue Hole in South Pacific Aquarium.
two boys goat grooming
Guests give goats the ultimate spa experience.
guests training hero rats
Guests training HeroRATs.
muskox calf yawning
Trebek the muskox calf.
muskox mom and calf
Charlotte and Trebek.
muskox trebek headbutt
Trebek the muskox calf.
feast
Keepers made our pouched rats a Thanksgiving feast.
walrus and keeper
Pakak gets dental work on his tusk.
hummingbird flowers
We celebrate Pollinator Week.
zoolights family walking tunnel
Zoolights!
zoolights girls wand
Zoolights!
zoolights prep
Prepping for Zoolights.
Jellyfish.
Jellyfish.
Jellyfish.
Jellyfish.
penguins diving
Penguins diving.
Clouded leopard AI procedure.
Clouded leopard AI procedure.
zoo beauty
Zoo beauty.
labels:
You Might Also Like
Tacoma Students Create “Jurassic Zoo and Aquarium”
During Tacoma Public Schools January mini-term, students at the Science and Math Institute (SAMi), School of the Arts (SOTA), and Industrial Design Engineering and Art (IDEA) choose one class from … Continued
Learn More
Sumatran Tiger Gets A Root Canal
Point Defiance Zoo’s 12-year-old resident male tiger, Sanjiv, recently had a dentist appointment to fix a fractured tooth. Dr. Alice Sievers, a board-certified veterinary dentist and one of only 250 … Continued
Learn More
Best Photos of 2023
As another year ends, we reflect on the special moments Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium had the privilege of being a part of in 2023. We welcomed polar bear sisters … Continued
Learn More
Meet the New Queen of the Aquarium
Her wingspan is 6.2 feet wide. From nose to tail, she’s 13 feet long. She’s noticeably more prominent than the three other female ocellated eagle rays in the Pacific Seas … Continued
Learn More
10 Wonderful Walrus Facts
The first full week of December every year is Walrus Awareness Week. In recognition of the holiday and Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium’s two walruses, Balzak (pronounced bell’-zik) and Lakina, … Continued
Learn More
5 Animals that Beat the Cold
We’re all feeling the cold right about now in the Pacific Northwest. But here at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, our animals have some pretty cool ways to deal with … Continued
Learn More
Tacoma Students Engage with Wildlife On Field Trip to Northwest Trek Wildlife Park
On a chilly, sunny November morning in Eatonville, more than 150 third, fourth, and fifth-grade students from Tacoma’s Lister Elementary gathered at the entrance to Northwest Trek Wildlife Park. “We … Continued
Learn More
New Field Trip Initiative Ensures Every Tacoma Public Schools Student Has Equal Access to Out-of-Classroom Experiences
A group of children skipped down a muddy trail at Tacoma Nature Center, bending to examine nurse logs, gnarled tree roots and an ant hill next to an orange mushroom. … Continued
Learn More
Zoo Staff Visit Polar Bears in the Arctic Tundra
It’s a long way from Tacoma, Washington, to Churchill, Manitoba: about 1,420 miles as the crow flies, at least eight hours by plane. There’s no road. In icy isolation on … Continued
Learn More
Muskox calf Willow moves to the large habitat
Willow, the fuzzy, spunky, six-week-old muskox calf, now lives in the large muskoxen habitat (babyproofed, of course!) with her mom, Charlotte. “She loves galloping around the grassy hillsides of the … Continued
Learn More
Zoo Works to Recover Critically Endangered Red Wolves
At Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, it’s a big “howl yes!” for American red wolf conservation. The Tacoma zoo has been a national leader in bringing this critically endangered species … Continued
Learn More
The Health of Puget Sound
Checking in on Puget Sound’s Health How healthy is Puget Sound? What areas are showing declines, and which are holding steady? Those are the questions divers at Point Defiance Zoo … Continued
Learn More
The tiniest buffalo
If the tiger is the king of the jungle, then the anoa would be the gardener. They’re not iconic like an elephant or acrobatic like a siamang. They don’t star … Continued
Learn More
The Future of Arctic Sea Ice & Polar Bears
Arctic Sea Ice Day is July 15. It’s a day to draw attention to the rapidly melting Arctic ecosystem, why it matters, and how we can all help slow this … Continued
Learn More
Say Hello to Ari the Raven
With black iridescent plumage and remarkable intellect, Ari is a beautiful bird that came to us from our friends Portland Audubon. Ravens have a wide variety of vocalizations and are … Continued
Learn More
Learn About Beach Animals During Tacoma Events
Ever wondered what it’s like to run a finger over the back of a prickly pink sea star? Or hold a tiny crab in the palm of your hand? Find … Continued
Learn More
Meet Astra and Laerke
Astra’s large round paws are very busy, kneading a big blue barrel that’s full of water. It looks like she is making biscuits. She pushes down with all her might … Continued
Learn More
The New Curly Crawlers
The New Crawlers with Curls What has eight legs and never has a bad hair day? Our new curlyhair tarantulas! Six spiders have joined the pack at Kids’ Zone and … Continued
Learn More
Introducing Twin Polar Bear Cubs Astra and Laerke
Astra and Laerke, two polar bear cubs who have captivated much of the country since their births two years ago at the Detroit Zoo, arrived at Point Defiance Zoo & … Continued
Learn More
New Polar Bears Arriving Soon
The Detroit Zoological Society (DZS) and the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, announced today that two polar bear cubs, Astra and Laerke, will move to Point Defiance Zoo in spring … Continued
Learn More
Photo Ark: Results of A Collaborative Partnership
Collaborations with our community are an incredible opportunity to create meaningful connections. Tacoma students at Science and Math Institute (SAMi), School of the Arts (SOTA), and School of Industrial Design, … Continued
Learn More
Thank You, Zoo Volunteers
Volunteers are an essential part of our community at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, donating their valuable time, passion and expertise to the Zoo. In honor of National Volunteer Week, … Continued
Learn More
Penguin Nesting Season
It’s that time of year again! Our Magellanic penguins have found their mates and are ready for nesting. In April, keepers observed our penguin pairs snuggling in their nests. It … Continued
Learn More
Meet the new Sumatran tiger, Sanjiv!
There’s a new tiger in town! An 11-year-old male Sumatran tiger named Sanjiv (pronounced sun-jeev) recently made his debut at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium.  The 286-pound male tiger … Continued
Learn More
Walrus Lakina Gets A Protective Tusk Crown
Lakina, our new female walrus, wears custom-made crowns to help protect her two tusks. Lakina did an excellent job holding still long enough for one of her crowns to be … Continued
Learn More
New Walruses Arrive and Settle into New Home
They were born just weeks apart six years ago and have been closely bonded ever since. And now, the two young walruses have moved together from Aquarium du Québec to … Continued
Learn More
Treat your pet for the holidays!
Inspired to give your own pet an enriching treat these holidays? “Enrichments are a big part of caring for an animal,” explains Sara Mattison, staff biologist at the Wild Wonders … Continued
Learn More
Meerkat Stocking Surprise
’Twas the month before Christmas and inside Kids’ Zone, The meerkats received a surprise of their own; A stocking was hung on the rock wall with care, But the one … Continued
Learn More
Meet Sven the Arctic Fox
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
Learn More
Suki’s Secrets to a Long Life
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
Learn More
See All Articles