As the year ends, we reflect on the moments Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium had the privilege of being a part of in 2024. We opened the Tropical Reef Aquarium, … Continued

SVEN UPDATE: JAN. 10 Our beloved Sven, the young Arctic fox who recently sustained a serious injury to his left knee, continues to show encouraging progress! Sven tore all the … Continued

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium is excited to introduce Pretzel, a one-year-old female muskox, who will be a companion for fellow one-year-old Willow.  “We’re thrilled to welcome Pretzel to … Continued

We said goodbye to Periwinkle, our beloved 6-month-old Magellanic penguin chick, on Friday. Periwinkle tugged on our heartstrings from the moment he hatched. He and his brother Lavender were the … Continued

The highly anticipated Zoolights event is back and brighter than ever! Starting this Friday, November 29, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium will be transformed into a winter wonderland, illuminating the … Continued

A charismatic colony of purple martins along Ruston Way is moving. The dark purple and blue birds are North America’s largest swallow and often spotted among decrepit wooden poles at … Continued

Beep. Beep. Beep. The heart monitor and other monitoring devices hum as veterinary professionals work in rhythm caring for their VIPs — very important patients, that is. On the exam … Continued

Our massive, 14-foot-tall buggy (which felt more like a tank) traversed the rocky, lichen-laden tundra late into the arctic afternoon. Suddenly, a wild polar bear peeked over the willow branches, … Continued

We said goodbye to Periwinkle, our beloved 6-month-old Magellanic penguin chick, on Dec. 2, 2024. Read the blog story. Periwinkle, a young Magellanic penguin, made his debut today at the … Continued

The beloved Zoolights event at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium is back and brighter than ever! The dedicated Zoolights crew is busy preparing for Pierce County’s largest and most enchanting … Continued

It’s one of the fastest-growing plants in the world. It’s used for buildings, dishes, musical instruments. It’s food for animals and people. And there are over 45 types at Point … Continued

Yuna, a 9-year-old Malayan tapir at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, is estimated to be 10 to 12 months pregnant. Yuna’s partner, 9-year-old Baku, is the father.  The gestation … Continued

Five organizations from around the United States have come together to provide care to an orphaned Pacific walrus calf receiving rehabilitative care at the Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) in Seward, … Continued

Guests to Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium can now see Pepper, the California sea lion born June 6, in the Rocky Shores seal and sea lion habitat. “Pepper made her … Continued

Second graders at Arlington Elementary School got decked out in matching blue coats. There were excited giggles and chatter as they prepared to leave their classroom and venture into their … Continued

Point Defiance Zoo mourns the loss of beloved elephant Suki  Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium said goodbye to one of its oldest and most beloved residents yesterday. Suki, an elderly … Continued

Tickets for the popular Eye-to-Eye Shark Dives at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium are now on sale. The program returns on August 21. The experience allows guests to get eye-to-eye … Continued

When Asian Forest Sanctuary Assistant Curator Erin gives a tiger keeper chat at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, she often tells the crowd, “There are more people at the Zoo … Continued

Over 40 marine animal species joined the Tropical Reef Aquarium this month, adding to the roster of more than 130 species already living there! The new residents include four new … Continued

The 2024 Summer Olympics are starting this week, and our animals are joining in to show off their unique skills and talents. See who we think would win gold in … Continued

Sven, the Arctic fox, has returned to exploring his habitat in the Arctic Tundra area of the zoo, now accompanied by a new female companion! One-year-old Freya joined Point Defiance … Continued

The sea lion pup will remain behind the scenes for the next few weeks as she learns to swim and continues to bond with mom. She will join the other … Continued

The Tropical Reef Aquarium at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium reopened in June after extensive restoration and repair of critical animal-care structures, habitats, and life support systems. The 15,000-square-foot aquarium, … Continued

Update September 5: After a few months of temporary care with us, we’re excited to announce that the young kinkajou found abandoned at a Yakima rest stop in June has now … Continued

When you envision a day trip to Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, you may imagine meeting the playful polar bear, exploring the newly reopened Tropical Reef Aquarium, or taking a … Continued

 She’s thriving, growing, and exploring a kiddie pool behind the scenes. The California sea lion pup born June 6 at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium is getting closer to … Continued

Five new meerkats are now living in the Kids’ Zone area at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium! The two females, Keeya and Naledi, and three males, Kayode, Chaka, and Mkhaya, … Continued

Our five critically endangered American Red Wolf pups met the vet team last week for a pup exam at our offsite facility in Eatonville, where the largest Red Wolf population … Continued

The sea lion pup will remain behind the scenes for the next few weeks as she learns to swim and continues to bond with mom. She will join the other … Continued

Penguin Point is chick-central!  Six penguin chicks successfully hatched in late May and are being closely monitored by their parents, keepers, and veterinary staff. They hatched to parents: Two … Continued