Zoolights

Point Defiance Zoo’s 12-year-old resident male tiger, Sanjiv, recently had a dentist appointment to fix a fractured tooth. Dr. Alice Sievers, a board-certified veterinary dentist and one of only 250 veterinary dental specialists in the world, volunteered her time with veterinary assistant Sharon Ghormley and veterinary technician Taylor Parker, all from Vancouver-based Pet Dental Specialists, a clinic primarily focused on treating dogs and cats with dental issues. After taking radiographs and deciding the best plan of action, Dr. Sievers performed…

As another year ends, we reflect on the special moments Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium had the privilege of being a part of in 2023. We welcomed polar bear sisters Laerke and Astra to the Pacific Northwest, explored the shore with our community, and muskox Charlotte gave birth to Willow, among so many other moments. Enjoy some of our favorite photos from this year, taken by staff photographer Katie Cotterill. Astra shakes off in her pool.   Laerke submerges in…

Her wingspan is 6.2 feet wide. From nose to tail, she’s 13 feet long. She’s noticeably more prominent than the three other female ocellated eagle rays in the Pacific Seas Aquarium. And her name — Rayna — (a punny take on the Spanish name “Reina”) means “queen.” “Even the hammerhead sharks get out of her way,” said Tyler, a staff biologist who works closely with the rays in the Baja Bay habitat of the aquarium. “All of the rays run…