Animals
Wriggle and Roar
Wiggle with an otter. Roar with a tiger. Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium is full of animals that will capture your heart and imagination, in habitats from rocky shores to bamboo forests. Explore them all here.
Animal Experiences
Explore Animal Habitats
Read Animal Stories
Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium staff are mourning the loss of Kirana, a female Sumatran tiger who died this morning after experiencing severe injuries during a breeding introduction as part of a plan to help save her endangered species. Six-year-old Kirana sustained life-threatening injuries from Raja, the zoo’s two-year-old male Sumatran tiger. A necropsy, or … Continued
Blizzard, a 25-year-old polar bear at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, has been diagnosed with liver cancer and will receive chemotherapy treatment and other supportive care to slow progression of the disease. The zoo’s head veterinarian, Dr. Karen Wolf, said Blizzard had elevated liver enzymes on his recent bloodwork and was showing signs of nausea. … Continued
On a rainy, late-summer morning in Tacoma, keeper Cindy is watching the puffins. She’s drenched, but that’s just part of the job she loves. The “unglamorous” part of keeper life some would say, but Cindy doesn’t mind. On this drizzly day, it’s her responsibility to keep a close eye on the horned puffling (puffin chick) … Continued
Animal Fun
Meet Our Animals
Meet Gertie, our octopus!
Our rescued sea lion Björn
Welcome, Raja!
Watch our red wolves play together.
Take Action for wildlife
THE CHALLENGE: Our Earth’s animals need our help. Their habitats are disappearing; they are being poached or hurt by pollution. We need to act now – together.
TAKE ACTION: At Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, we take action for animals. We support conservation campaigns and send our zoologists into the field for research. And you can help.
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