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Animals

Wriggle and Roar

Our animals are waiting to meet you.

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.

Most animal habitats are open. Learn more about temporary exhibit closures.

Animal Experiences

Keeper Chats and Encounters
Meet our family.

Check out our daily Keeper Chats and Animal Encounters! Feed a goat, watch animals enjoy enrichments, and meet the keepers. See the full schedule here.

Daily Presentations

Explore Animal Habitats

Pacific Seas Aquarium
Asian Forest Sanctuary
Arctic Tundra
Rocky Shores
Kids' Zone
Red Wolf Woods
Wild Wonders Outdoor Theater
South Pacific Aquarium - Temporarily Closed
Budgie Buddies - Reopening May 2023
Penguin Point

Read Animal Stories

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

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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

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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

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Animal Fun

Book an experience

Go behind-the-scenes of the Pacific Seas Aquarium. Take a Wild Tour before the Zoo opens. Our Zoo For You Animal Experiences get you behind the scenes and up close to our animals. Perfect for families!

Animal Experiences

Meet Our Animals

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.

Support the Zoo
Looking for a deeper animal connection? Donate to The Zoo Society to support animal care, wildlife conservation, education and more.