TACOMA, Wash. — The beloved Zoolights event at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium is back and brighter than ever! The dedicated Zoolights crew is busy preparing for Pierce County’s largest and most enchanting holiday celebration, and timed online tickets are now available. From November 29 to January 5, this annual holiday spectacular will light up the zoo with over […]
Bringing Awareness to Sea Otters
Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium is home to three endangered sea otters in the Rocky Shores habitat. Every year, Sea Otter Awareness Week takes place during the last full week of September to celebrate and inspire deeper awareness of these marine mammals. Now protected, sea otters are still at significant risk from oil spills, parasites that reach […]
Zoo Bamboo
It’s one of the fastest-growing plants in the world. It’s used for buildings, dishes, musical instruments. It’s food for animals and people. And there are over 45 types at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. We’re talking bamboo, that leggy, elegant plant known for both lush garden vibes as well as gardener headaches if it gets […]
Point Defiance Zoo’s Malayan tapir expecting a calf this fall
TACOMA, Wash. – Yuna, a 9-year-old Malayan tapir at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, is estimated to be 10 to 12 months pregnant. Yuna’s partner, 9-year-old Baku, is the father. The gestation period for tapirs is about 13-14 months long, and calves weigh around 22 pounds at birth. Yuna already receives a healthy, balanced diet […]
Labor Day weekend animal events at Pierce County zoos
Celebrate Labor Day weekend surrounded by wildlife from August 31 to September 2 at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma. The zoo will mark the unofficial end of summer with engaging events for the entire family. It’s time to cool down and have some fun! Join Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium for an exciting […]
United Efforts Bring Hope to Orphaned Pacific Walrus Calf in Alaska
Five organizations from around the United States have come together to provide care to an orphaned Pacific walrus calf receiving rehabilitative care at the Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) in Seward, Alaska, in hopes of giving her a second chance at life. The ASLC is leading the heartfelt and intensive effort to care for the rare […]
Sea lion pup makes public debut at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
Guests to Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium can now see Pepper, the California sea lion born June 6, in the Rocky Shores seal and sea lion habitat. “Pepper made her public debut this morning and is fitting right in,” said Curator Jen DeGroot. “In recent weeks, she was gradually introduced to the other seals and […]
Point Defiance Zoo mourns loss of beloved elephant Suki
TACOMA, Wash. – Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium said goodbye to one of its oldest and most beloved residents yesterday (August 10, 2024). Suki, an elderly Asian elephant who came to Tacoma nearly three decades ago, was humanely euthanized yesterday after a steady decline in her health over the past few weeks. “We lost a […]
Eye-to-Eye Shark Dives Now On Sale at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
TACOMA, Wash. — Tickets for the popular Eye-to-Eye Shark Dives at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium are now on sale. The program returns on August 21. The experience allows guests to get eye-to-eye underwater with more sharks and fish than ever before in the newly remodeled Tropical Reef Aquarium’s Outer Reef habitat while discovering the delight and wonder of […]