2020 Press Releases
2020 releases
Farewell, walrus boys
Dec. 10: Pacific walruses Mitik and Pakak are leaving the Zoo this week to separate zoos to breed with female walruses as part of a nationwide plan for walruses in human care.
Zoolights 2020 kicks off Friday!
Nov. 24: The longstanding community tradition of Zoolights at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium begins this Friday, Nov. 27, with the Zoo transformed into a colorful winter wonderland of more than 700,000 LED lights.
Read release |Download pdf | Go to event
Elderly Asian Elephant Suki Treated for Tuberculosis
Nov. 9: Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium veterinarians began a yearlong treatment regimen today for Suki, an elderly female Asian elephant who has tested positive for tuberculosis, officials announced.
Zoo Society gala goes online as Zoobilee Re-Imagined
Oct. 20: Zoobilee Re-Imagined is the annual Zoo Society fundraiser, now with Zoom party, livestreamed auction, virtual animals and more.
Read release | Download pdf | Go to event
Zoolights 2020 tickets now on sale
Oct. 19: The classic holiday lights tradition returns to Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium with added safety precautions and animal lights displays.
Read release | Download pdf| Go to event
New Animal Experiences now available
Oct. 5, 2020: Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium is expanding its Zoo for You exclusive animal experiences with two new premier adventures: HERO Rats and Wild Zoo Tour.
Read release | Download pdf| Go to page
Get spooky this Halloween
Oct. 2, 2020: Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium and Northwest Trek Wildlife Park offer animals, costumes and safe fun both in-person and virtual this October.
Read release | Download pdf | Go to event
Zoolights is coming!
Sept. 23, 2020: Zoolights will return this holiday season to Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium with new safety protocols and the traditional light displays that have lit up the community for the past 32 years.
Read release | Download pdf | Go to event
Zoo and Northwest Trek win AZA awards
Sept. 16, 2020: Point Defiance Zoo and Northwest Trek Wildlife Park have been recognized for conservation and research work with two awards from the Association of Zoos & Aquariums.
Beloved elderly polar bear Boris dies
Sept. 1, 2020: Elderly polar bear Boris was humanely euthanized at the Zoo today after significantly declining health. He will be very much missed.
Eye-to-Eye Shark Dives Re-open!
Aug. 28, 2020: Eye-to-Eye Shark Dives are reopening at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, with new health and safety precautions for Phase 2 of Covid-19 restrictions.
Read release | Download pdf| Go to page
ZooQuarium Online Learning Launches
Aug. 28, 2020: Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium launches ZooQuarium Online Learning, a fun, interactive, online lesson delivering key science concepts while learning about animals!
Read release | Download pdf | Go to page
New Zoo For You Exclusive Animal Experiences
Aug. 17, 2020: Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium to launch personalized Zoo For You animal experiences Groovy Goats and Pacific Seas Aquarium Behind-the-Scenes on Aug. 21.
Send an Animal Shoutout video greeting
Aug. 6, 2020: Animal lovers can now share a special message with a wild touch, all from the comfort of your own couch! Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium and Northwest Trek Wildlife Park are now offering “Animal Shoutouts.”
This – Is – Trebek!
July 8, 2020: Fans have voted, and the winning name for our baby muskox is Trebek, after the actor and “Jeopardy” gameshow host Alex Trebek.
Help name our baby muskox
June 30, 2020: It’s official – our baby muskox calf is a boy, and now his fans get to vote on his name. Choose from a slate of keeper-suggested names in an online survey now through July 8.
Both aquariums reopen July 1
June 29, 2020: The Pacific Seas Aquarium and South Pacific Aquarium are reopening July 1 at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium with new protocols to keep guests safe and healthy.
Two Magellanic penguin chicks hatch at Zoo
June 17, 2020: Two new Magellanic penguin chicks hatched at the zoo on May 22 and 23, and are healthy and growing well, says head veterinarian Dr. Karen Wolf. They’ll be moved behind the scenes in a few weeks.
It’s a boy! Or maybe a girl!
June 9, 2020: Early Sunday morning at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Charlotte, a 621-pound muskox, gave birth to a calf, just as the Zoo was preparing to announce its June 18 reopening.
It’s reopening time!
June 9, 2020: Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium and Northwest Trek Wildlife Park will reopen to the public June 18, with timed online tickets and a new, safe experience.
Read release | Download pdf
Aged sea lion Chinook dies
Feb. 27, 2020: Chinook, an aged California sea lion, died today at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium following a sudden decline in his health. Head veterinarian, Dr. Karen Wolf, said Chinook had been showing signs of lethargy and a loss of appetite.
Hanako, elderly elephant, is humanely euthanized
Feb. 16, 2020: Hanako, a beloved elderly Asian elephant who came to Tacoma two decades ago, was humanely euthanized at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium Saturday evening after a severe decline in her health over the past several weeks.
Charlotte the muskox is expecting
Feb. 11, 2020: Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium has one more reason to celebrate muskoxen Charlotte and Hudson this Valentine’s Day: they are expecting a calf this summer.
Tiger Mohan humanely euthanized
Jan. 27, 2020: Mohan, a 15-year-old male Sumatran tiger who came to Tacoma in 2017, was humanely euthanized at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium on Saturday after a decline in his health over the last month.
Zoo smashes attendance record in 2019
Jan. 13, 2020: In 2019, 825,937 guests walked through the turnstiles, the largest total in Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium’s 114-year history. Combined with sister zoo Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, this meant more than 1 million visitors for the second consecutive year.