As a heat wave hits the greater Tacoma area with temperatures in the 80s and 90s, keepers at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma are finding ways to keep the animals cool.
The safety and well-being of the animals is the keepers’ number one priority, and keepers offer all of the animals round-the-clock access to shade and fresh water. They also get lots of tasty ice treats, like “fishsicles” or “bloodsicles”…not quite a human’s go-to flavor for a popsicle, but they are devoured by many of the animals!
On a walk around the Zoo, guests might see the polar bear sisters plunge, splash and wrestle in their saltwater pool.
Sumatran tiger Indah excitedly licks a heart-shaped icicle.
Asian small-clawed otters Javin and Arista can swim in their pool below a waterfall and roll around in piles of ice.
And the penguin colony can dive and swim in their pool.
“We love watching the animals enjoy their pools, ice treats, and hoses,” said General Curator Malia Somerville. “When the temperature is this high, we give them many options to cool off.”