2025 Press releases
2025 Releases
Double otter news: new male arrives and pup is born at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
December 18: Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium is celebrating exciting milestones for its Asian small-clawed otter family: the arrival of a new male otter, Yuki, and the recent birth of a healthy otter pup to another resident pair.
New male Sumatran tiger will make public debut at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium this weekend
December 16: Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium is excited to announce the public debut of its newest Sumatran tiger, Bintang, meaning “star” in Indonesian, also affectionately known as Bini. The 7-year-old tiger will be visible to guests in the Asian Forest Sanctuary this weekend, December 19–21.
Global conservation win: zebra shark pup from Point Defiance Zoo hatches in Indonesia
November 26: The first pup from the seven zebra shark eggs produced at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium and sent on a groundbreaking global mission to restore wild populations has officially hatched!
Zoolights begins Friday at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
November 24: The wait is almost over! The Puget Sound’s favorite holiday light tradition, Zoolights at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, kicks off this Friday, Nov. 28, transforming the zoo into a dazzling winter wonderland filled with more than 1.5 million lights.
Critically endangered bowmouth guitarfish arrives at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
November 6: A critically endangered bowmouth guitarfish named Fender will make his public debut Friday, Nov. 7 in the Tropical Reef Aquarium’s Outer Reef habitat at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium.
November 4: Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium and Northwest Trek Wildlife Park are proud to honor those who serve our country with Veterans’ Appreciation Days, held November 8–11, 2025. During these four special days, U.S. military veterans and active-duty members will receive free admission, and their immediate family members will receive half-off general admission at either park.
Tickets now on sale for Zoolights at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
October 1: One of the Puget Sound region’s most treasured holiday traditions is back! Zoolights returns for its 38th year to Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium from Nov. 28 to Jan. 4, and tickets are now on sale at pdza.org/zoolights.
Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium says farewell to polar bear Astra
September 29: Astra, one of Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium’s beloved 4-year-old polar bears, will soon move to another zoo accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) in the Midwest, as part of a breeding recommendation aimed at sustaining a healthy polar bear population in the United States.
Pierce County zoos step up to the plate for October baseball
September 26: Starting Saturday, Sept. 27 fans sporting Mariners gear will knock $5 off general admission at the front gates of both Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium and Northwest Trek Wildlife Park.
Zoo Boo is back at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
September 19: The zoo’s wildly popular fall celebration, Zoo Boo, returns October 18-19 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., offering a weekend full of festive fun and animal encounters. Guests of all ages are invited to come in costume (no masks, please) and enjoy a full lineup of seasonal activities. From ghostly games and trick-or-treat stations to spooky (but not scary) decorations throughout the grounds, Zoo Boo promises a memorable and family-friendly October experience.
September 11: In a groundbreaking moment for conservation, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium has successfully produced seven viable zebra shark (Indo-Pacific leopard shark) eggs that are now headed to the wild. These eggs represent a significant step forward in a global effort to save an endangered species and restore ocean ecosystems.
Point Defiance Zoo welcomes Mawar, a rare Sumatran tiger
September 3: This Saturday, Sept. 6, Mawar, a 6-year-old female Sumatran tiger whose name means “rose” in Indonesian, will make her public debut at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium.
Sister zoos offer Labor Day weekend events
August 27: Celebrate the end of summer in wild style at both Northwest Trek Wildlife Park in Eatonville and Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma this Labor Day weekend, Aug. 30-Sept. 1. The sister zoos are each hosting exciting, animal-focused events packed with enrichment, education, and family fun.
August 12: For the first time ever, dogs are invited to experience the wild side of Pierce County’s sister zoos, Northwest Trek Wildlife Park and Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. Tickets are on sale now for “Dog Days,” where guests can share the zoo experience with their four-legged friends like never before.
Wild for Wildlife at Point Defiance Zoo
July 24: Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium invites guests of all ages to dive into the wild world of conservation during Wild for Wildlife, a two-day event happening July 26–27, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Ume the tapir calf makes her public debut this Friday
May 14: It’s tapir time! Ume, a spirited three-month-old Malayan tapir calf, is gearing up for a big adventure. She will make her public debut at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium’s Asian Forest Sanctuary this Friday—and guests are invited to watch her explore her new habitat.
Brand new Wild Wonders Outdoor Theater Animal Show premiers May 3
April 30: Get ready for an all-new season of amazing animal antics! The Wild Wonders Outdoor Theater at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium launches its 2025 spring/summer show on May 3, featuring a fresh, fun-filled theme: “Zoo’s Got Mail.”
Join the 2025 City Nature Challenge
April 21: Think you can spot more species than your neighbor? It’s time to find out! The City Nature Challenge is back from April 25 to April 28, and you’re invited to become a community scientist—whether for an hour, an afternoon, or all four days.
Eight Meerkat Kits Born at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
April 16: The meerkat mob just got a little bigger! Moms Keeya and Naledi each recently gave birth to four healthy kits behind the scenes at the zoo.
Endangered Malayan Tapir Calf Born at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
February 4: A rare and endangered Malayan tapir calf was born at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium on Sunday, February 2, marking only the second tapir birth in the zoo’s 120-year history.
Muskox Meetup: Willow Meets Pretzel
January 23: One-year-old muskox Willow was officially introduced to one-year-old Pretzel in the large Tundra habitat today, and it was a success!